The Nod

Autumn loves to play The Sims. The life simulation game gives the 15-year-old an escape from her difficult home life. But after something terrible happens, the line between the game and real life starts to blur. Producer Wallace Mack brings us this week’s story on the journey to find peace amid tragedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For years, KalaLea experiences painful periods that keep her in bed for days at a time. As she tries to figure out what’s happening to her body, she discovers that she has a condition that disproportionately affects Black women. This is the story of how KalaLea listened closely to her own body and made her doctors listen, too. This week’s story comes from the Bodies podcast. After the show, KalaLea joins Brittany in the studio to share advice on how to better advocate for your own wellness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brittany and Eric sit down for a conversation with Boots Riley to discuss his first feature film, the critically acclaimed Sorry to Bother You. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A woman comes to the Nod Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with a mystery that only a Black person could have. Brittany and her team of detectives embark on a search for a long lost childhood memento and become entangled in a web of Internet k-holes and clandestine Facebook groups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What foods do you associate with Black culture? Eric’s friend makes him a sugary treat with surprising connections to the Congo. Plus, Brittany talks to a woman who helps breathe new life into people… literally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kenan Thompson is the longest-tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live’s history, and one of the funniest. But his acting hasn’t landed him an Emmy nomination… until now. Eric makes an impassioned plea for Emmy voters to recognize Kenan’s mastery of the craft. And we revisit some of Kenan’s best moments on classic shows like Kenan & Kel and All That. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every year, descendants of both enslaved people and slave owners come together for a family reunion. The darker side of their shared past remains hidden underneath the celebrations and pleasantries. Until one year, when Ever Lee Hairston says two words that break decades of silence. To commemorate our 1 year anniversary, we’ll be playing the hits, as determined by you, all month. The people voted, and here we have it— the final installment of Best of The Nod series, "The Hairston’s" Parts 1 &2. We'll be back next week with a NEW episode! Music in this episode from: Tyler Strickland, Bobby Lord, Golden Gram, Jupyter, Takstar and Nick From Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was once a grocery store in Chicago that Black folks LOVED. And that grocery store made one of the most iconic commercials the city has ever seen. We hear the story behind that commercial. Plus, what does it mean to “buy Black?” And how… practical is that? Brittany and Eric go on a scavenger hunt to figure it out. To commemorate our 1 year anniversary, we’ll be playing the hits, as determined by you, all month. The people voted, and here we have it— part 3 of The Best of The Nod, featuring "Moo and Oink" and "Buy Black. " Watch the classic "Moo and Oink" commercial here. Music in this episode from: Haley Shaw, Takstar and Calid B. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we have two stories about incredible Black trailblazers. First up, a story about a Black designer and a group of Black models that revolutionized the fashion world forever. Then, a story about a Black, queer icon that you may not have heard of, but will never forget. To commemorate our 1 year anniversary, we’ll be playing the hits, as determined by you, all month. The people voted, and here we have it— The Best of The Nod: Black Excellence, featuring "Chitlins at Bergdorfs" and "The Cowboy of West Village." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to a certain conspiracy theorist, Beyoncé is hiding a secret from the world. He also has strong feelings about Big Sean and clones. To commemorate our 1 year anniversary, we’ll be playing the hits, as determined by you, all month. The people voted, and here we have it— a two parter of Shawn Blazington’s conspiracy theories.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We reunite members of Crime Mob to get the inside story of Knuck If You Buck, the club anthem that defined the crunk era and took them from high school kids to rap legends. All tea, no shade—straight from the people who lived it: Diamond, Princess and Lil Jay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian Wyatt Cenac, host of the new HBO series “Problem Areas,” joins Brittany and Eric onstage at their recent live show in Brooklyn. Wyatt dishes on his favorite conspiracy theories, makes a case for why we should ban all babies from bars, and solves some of our listeners’ most pressing problems.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eric tells a story about forgotten part of civil-rights history that is still very much alive. In 1965, a group of black men in Louisiana called the Deacons for Defense and Justice took up arms against the Klan. Now a daughter of the Deacons wants to start a museum in their honor, but not everyone in town wants their story told. This episode originally aired on the Gimlet show “Undone,” and includes a special update on the story from Eric.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brittany and Eric talk to Startup podcast host Amy Standen about Arlan Hamilton--a gay Black woman who started a venture capital fund unlike any other in Silicon Valley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A young man named Eric embarks on an epic quest to figure out why so many Black folks love kung fu. He seeks the wisdom of two teachers, including RZA of The Wu-Tang Clan and the lead martial arts consultant on "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Will he discover what it takes to become a true master? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The movie "White Chicks" may have made critics— and honestly, the world —cringe, but Brittany delivers her treatise on why the film deserves a second look.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it take to get Black women’s hair authentically represented on TV? Brittany talks to Yara Shahidi, the star of the popular sitcom Grown-ish, to find out. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how Brittany and Eric became such good friends? Well wonder no more, because this week's bonus tells the story of how the pair first met. And if you like this one, be sure to check out the Kismet podcast for more stories of connections being made. We are back next week with a new episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Coming to America may have given us the greatest Jheri Curl anthem ever made, but that doesn’t make it untouchable. With a potential sequel on the way, we asked a question we never thought we’d ask: is Coming to America, good or bad for the Blacks? Guests Luvvie Ajayi and Saidu Tejan-Thomas help us decide.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’ll take you to Zaire for a story about national identity, colonialism, and one of the most notorious dictators in history. All courtesy of our friends at the new Gimlet podcast, “We Came to Win.” To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices