I’ve been on a podcast kick lately- they’re perfect to put on when I take Parker for his morning and evening walks, or when I’m sewing or embroidering or, lately, while doing volunteer shifts at the Redwood Art Association Gallery.
So, here’s what I’ve been listening to:
Native sovereignty is one of those things that I remember being talked about in school a few times, memorized for a test, then ditched for… a long time. I guess in theory I got that Native people have control over their lands, but the reality of how that actually works is significantly more complicated and by no means guaranteed.
From Crooked Media, This Land is a podcast researched and hosted by Rebecca Nagle, a citizen of Cherokee Nation. It’s now on it’s second season, which is exploring the recent court attacks on ICWA (sometimes pronounced Ick-Wah), which is the Indian Child Welfare Act. It has been fascinating to listen to, and so far the most interesting episode for me has been “Supply and Demand”. It definitely has some really difficult moments and discussions, but it is an excellently made podcast. From Season one to Season Two, Nagle explores how Native sovereignty is continually under attack on multiple fronts, and in the most inconspicuous of ways. After all, on the surface the foster system and control over sovereign lands seem to have nothing in common, but dig a little deeper and it is very, very connected. Speaking of connections…
I first heard of All My Relations from one of my past coworkers at the museum, but I guess at the time I wasn’t much of a podcast listener. I picked it back up and DANG is it good. The titles seem pretty straightforward but the topics discussed usually expand far outward, so I personally recommend listening to all the episodes as there are some really great points made all along the way. Hosts Matika and Adrienne are really personable, bounce ideas around in a thoughtful and entertaining way, and really dig deep into issues facing Indian Country. They also bring in really great people to interview on topics like DNA, fashion, and more. As a non-Native person, I’ve learned a heck of a lot and I 100% recommend it. Episodes range in time from about a half hour to an hour and a half.
Nice White Parents was one of the first podcasts I found when I started getting back into podcasts while walking Parker. It explores the desegregation of schools historically and in the present, the role of charter schools in that journey, and how well-meaning but misunderstanding white parents can really throw a wrench in positive school reforms.
So, I do listen to a number of pretty serious podcasts, but this one is a bit more… fun. Wind of Change seeks to answer one question: Was the Scorpion’s song “Wind of Change” actually written by the CIA to take down the Soviet Union? For some reason the Cold War was largely glazed over in my public school education- pretty much most things past probably WWI now that I think of it- so this was a fun ride in learning more about the Cold War and the generalized intrigue that surrounded it. Definitely bingeable!
If it’s got Mormons, 9 times out of 10 I will be interested in it. I listened to Bundyville season 1 and 2 a while back now, probably something like two or three years ago. I don’t know that there will ever be another season of this show, but that’s ok. It explores some pretty fascinating connections between the Church of Latter Day Saints, ol’ westward expansionism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism, and much more.
That’s it for now, but that’s at least a few solid days worth of podcasts to listen to, so hopefully you saw one that piqued your interest. Share your favorite podcasts or what you’re listening to these days in the comments.
Katie Buesch 