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HER With Amena Brown Episode 14: Best TV of 2020 (featuring Kelundra Smith)

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2020 brought us a lot of things: good, bad and ugly. One thing a lot of us had more time to do is watch TV. This week, I’m discussing some of the best TV of 2020 with writer, theater critic, arts journalist and playwright, Kelundra Smith. Kelundra shares her journey as a journalist and why storytelling was even more important this year during the pandemic. We talk about the TV we loved and the TV we loved to hate! 

For more information on Kelundra Smith visit https://kelundra.com.

Show Notes:

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Moonlight

We See You, White American Theater movement

Tina — The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway

Interface: An Evening of New Virtual Plays

Adrienne Warren

Amina McIntyre

Marium Khalid

Elliott Dixon

Lovecraft Country 

The Bitter Southerner: The Southern Women Who Shaped Aunjanue Ellis by Kelundra Smith

The Good Lord Bird on Showtime

Sneakerheads on Netflix

The Chi

Sistas on BET

The Game

The Parkers

Girlfriends

#blackAF

Angie Tribeca

Euphoria

Power

I May Destroy You

Chewing Gum

P-Valley

Katori Hall

90 Day Fiancé

Married At First Sight

Call The Midnight

Belgravia

The Crown

Real Housewives of Potomac

Real Housewives of Atlanta

Iyanla: Fix My Life

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

Black Love on OWN

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion special on HBO

Good Times

Family Matters

The Office

The Photograph

Tenet

Hamilton on Disney+

The Forty-Year-Old Version

Second Act

Good Trouble documentary

Most Likely To Succeed documentary

A Perfect 14 documentary

Michelle Buteau

Sam Jay on Twitter

Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning

Ms. Pat

The Cabin with Bert Kreischer on Netflix

Gentefied 

The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia 

Vida 

On My Block

Selena

One Day At A Time

Queen of the South

Olay MAX campaign

Give Her A Crown: Christelle De Castro, director

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 13: All Things Christmas (featuring Melinda Doolittle)

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I have never wanted a Christmas onesie as much as I did while talking to singer, author, actress, American Idol finalist, and Christmas enthusiast, Melinda Doolittle! Melinda tells me why there is no judgment for leaving Christmas decorations up all year round and dishes on her favorite Christmas songs and traditions. Grab some hot cocoa, get dressed in your favorite holiday pjs, and join me in our HER living room! 

For more information about Melinda Doolittle, visit http://melindadoolittle.com. Follow Melinda on Instagram and Twitter!

Show Notes:

Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly and Maze

All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey

Silent Night by The Temptations

Give Love At Christmas by The Temptations

This Christmas by Donny Hathaway

Drummer Boy by Justin Bieber and Busta Rhymes

Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration

Leaders of the New School

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) by Nat King Cole

Christmas With PJ Morton

Do You Believe by PJ Morton and featuring Yolanda Adams

What You Want For Christmas by Quad City DJ’s, 69 Boyz, and K-Nock

Cider & Hennessy by Jordin Sparks

Trapmas Melody by Jordin Sparks

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season by Kirk Franklin and the Family

Principles of Kwanzaa

Melinda Doolittle’s albums

Beyond Me: Finding Your Way to Life's Next Level by Melinda Doolittle

Give Her A Crown: all the listeners

Toni Braxton

Christmas Time Is Here by Toni Braxton

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 12: The Gospel Music Truth (featuring Peggy Britt)

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I love gospel music and I’m so happy to talk with gospel great and vocal coach on Netflix show, Voices of Fire, Peggy Britt. Executive produced by Pharrell Williams, Voices of Fire is an inspirational show following the journey of singers and vocal coaches as they form a diverse, gospel choir in Hampton Roads, VA. Listen in as Peggy and I talk about her journey in gospel music and why it’s important to preserve gospel music tradition. 

For more information on Voices of Fire, visit www.netflix.com.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 11: Behind the Poetry: Roots & Wings

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Every poem has a story. In each Behind the Poetry episode I share one of my poems, the real life story behind one of my poems, what it was like performing it for the first time and how I feel about the poem today. This week, I’m sharing my poem Roots & Wings and the very first time I ever performed my own poetry. Listen in to hear how the movie Love Jones and the legacy of my ancestors helped me to write this poem.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 10: Recovery, Creativity and Disability Visibility (featuring Alice Wong)

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Is it just me or are y’all TIRED?! This week I get real about how exhausting 2020 has been and how we can take some time this month to rest and recover. I’m also talking with disabled activist, podcaster, and founder/director of the Disability Visibility Project, Alice Wong. Listen in as Alice talks about how her creative work informs her activism and why it’s important to preserve disabled history and follow the lead of the disabled community.

For more information about Alice Wong, the Disability Visibility Project®, and the Disability Visibility book visit https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 9: That Time I...Got Sick on Thanksgiving

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It’s Thanksgiving week, which for me is usually a cookapalooza, but for this week’s episode I’m telling you about my first time cooking for Thanksgiving and the shenanigans that ensued quickly from there. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 8: Choosing You, Date Night Fumbles, and Holding Space for Story (featuring Morgan Harper Nichols)

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This episode, I’m telling y’all my business. Wait don’t I tell you my episode on every episode?! I’m sharing a personal story about a recent moment that reminded me to say yes to myself AND I’m telling y’all about what deveining shrimp on date night and trussing chicken have taught me about relationships. In an interview from the HER archives, I’m also talking with writer, artist, musician and author, Morgan Harper Nichols about her creative process and why it’s important to hold space for other people’s stories. For more information about Morgan Harper Nichols, visit http://morganharpernichols.com.



Show Notes:

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Plywood Presents conference

Pretty Girl by Eric Roberson h

Storyteller: 100 Poem Letters by Morgan Harper Nichols

Storyteller by Morgan Harper Nichols with Jamie Grace

Storyteller app

All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts For Boundless Living by Morgan Harper Nichols

Follow Morgan on Instagram



Give Her A Crown: Jenny Yang, creator of Comedy Crossing

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 7: Bralessness, Beyoncé, and the Power of Homecoming (featuring Candice Benbow)

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This week, I’m talking about how working from home has caused me to leave wearing bras in the past and how I intend to live my best sweatsuit life this fall and winter! In celebration of HBCU Homecoming season and Beyoncé’s album and Netflix special Homecoming, I’m talking with Candice Benbow in an interview from the HER archives. Candice is the creator of The Lemonade Syllabus, Red Lip Theology and founder of Zion Hill Media Group. Listen in as Candice and I talk about the inspiration we find in Beyoncé and the power of coming home to yourself. For more information about Candice Benbow, visit https://candicebenbow.com.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 6: Election Day Self-care and the Legacy of Our Ancestors (featuring Juliana Brown Eyes)

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Yep we made it. It’s Election Day. Whether you are headed to cast your vote or have already cast your vote, this week’s episode is designed to give you some self care tips to carry you through today and the days ahead. This week my guest is Juliana Brown Eyes, an indigenous multihyphenate and founder of Rezaissance, whose life work is telling the story of her people through film, music, and photography. Listen in as Juliana shares why indigenous stories should be told by indigenous people and why it’s important to stay connected to our ancestors. For more information on Juliana and Rezaissance, visit https://www.rezaissance.com.

Cranberry Sauce recipe:

(serves 8 - 12)

Ingredients:

12 ounces cranberries

1 cup white sugar

1 cup water

Directions:

In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the water. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 5: #AskAmena, Black Girl Books, and Things You Should Never Say to a Woman

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This week I’m answering YOUR questions about my favorite dance movie, my love for donuts and how to overcome imposter syndrome. I asked on social media and you answered by sharing your thoughts on things you should never say to a woman. I’m also sharing my top 5 quintessential Black girl books.

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 4: Body Positivity, Hot Girl Poetry and Song Essentials (featuring Jennifer Chung)

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This week, I’m sharing how measuring my body for a recent video/photo shoot had me all in my feelings! Plus, I’m sharing a poetic reading inspired by Megan Thee Stallion. In an interview from the HER archives, I’m talking with my friend and singer/songwriter Jennifer Chung about her music and her own journey of loving the skin she’s in. 

For more of Jennifer’s music: http://www.jenniferchung.com/.

For more info on Jennifer’s and her husband’s media company WATS.Media: https://www.wats.media/.

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 3: Cocktails vs Wine and Effecting Political Change with Ifeoma Ike

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The pandemic has brought me time to discover if I’m a cocktail lady or a wine lady. Let’s discuss. I’m also sharing the food and drink lessons I have learned from being broke. This week, as we are in the middle of an election season, I thought it would be fitting to return to an episode from the archives with attorney, founder, and social impact strategist, Ifeoma Ike. This episode was recorded in the Before Times (prior to the pandemic). Ifeoma shares her journey in government and law, how to effect change inside of a broken system and why marginalized people should get involved in government and politics. To learn more about Ifeoma Ike, visit https://thinkrubix.com/ifeoma.

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 2: The Power of Happily Ever After with Adriana Herrera

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This week I’m talking with romance fiction author, Adriana Herrera. Author of American Dreamer and American Fairytale, a part of the Dreamer Series, Adriana talks about how her experiences in the field of social work inform her fiction and why she believes in writing unapologetic happy endings for characters of color. In this episode recorded in the Before Times (prior to the pandemic), Adriana and I discuss how reading romance can be a form of self-care and how all of us can revel in our own happy endings/beginnings. To learn more about Adriana and to purchase her books visit: http://adrianaherreraromance.com.

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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Find Adriana on her website and Instagram!

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HER With Amena Brown Episode 1: Unapologetically Black with Austin Channing Brown

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I’m kicking off the relaunch of HER with one of my favorite interviews, a conversation with New York Times’ Bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness and creator of web series, The Next Question, Austin Channing Brown. The interview was recorded in the Before Times, pre-pandemic, but the conversation is still so relevant. Listen in as Austin talks about the beauty of being unapologetically Black and how we can use our anger creatively.

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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Find Austin on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

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HER With Amena Brown trailer

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Women of color deserve to be celebrated! Weekly podcast, HER with Amena Brown, will do just that! Hosted by spoken word poet, author and performer, Amena Brown, each episode will feature comedic commentary and fascinating conversations with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian women such as Austin Channing Brown, Juliana Brown Eyes, Morgan Harper Nichols, Adriana Herrera, Jennifer Chung and many more!

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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HER With Amena Brown Bonus Episode: Kissing Advice from Grandma

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In this recording from one of Amena’s live shows, Amena talks about her grandmother giving her kissing advice. Yep, you read that right. Listen in as Amena talks about what her grandmother has to say about how to kiss her then-fiance-now-husband and follow along as she recounts one of her favorite scenes from The Color Purple.

Listen on iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. 

Click here to view the transcript.

Support Amena

To support Amena’s creative work and get exclusive perks, become a member of her Patreon community. If you would prefer to support the show with a one-time contribution, go to paypal.me/amenabrown.

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