#92 TRENDING IN Music & Podcasts 🔥

6 Diverse Podcast Recommendations That Amplify Marginalized Voices - from a Fellow Podcaster

Music & Podcasts

May 17, 2023

Podcasts have since expanded to become a trendy medium for entertainment, enabling hosts to talk about the latest pop culture, true crime sagas, literature, or even the surprising history of gnomes– and yes, there is a podcast for that.

However, when the theme of ethnic cultures becomes intertwined with podcasting, it can provide a revolutionizing sense of familiarity across the diverse backdrops of the audience and true empowerment from the candid narratives told by hosts. Here, The Teen Magazine dives through some of the best culturally-aware podcasts that leave listeners engrossed for hours! From clever humor to heartfelt interviews, these podcasts find their commonality in exemplifying unique voices throughout underrepresented communities.

Before delving into podcast recommendations, the prospect of uplifting others was the reason why I've explored the podcasting world as a co-host for my own show, Beyond the Model Asian, with the mellow nickname Ella! I've had to overcome many challenges as I've dedicated my time to this pursuit, but the bonds I have formed with featured Asian-American guests were unique as they defined their own narratives.

I've had the privilege of interviewing guests such as Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, an actor in Kim’s Convenience, currently streaming on Netflix, where he was one of the humorous protagonists that co-starred with Simu Liu. Paul also acted as a daring captain in Disney’s, The Mandalorian, and is set to be Uncle Iroh in the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, co-starring with celebrities like Daniel Dae Kim and Mae Whitman.

Jim Paredes, another memorable interviewee, was a member of the Apo Hiking Society, an internationally recognized 70’s band and the first Filipinos to perform at Carnegie Hall. And many more honorable figures, like the photographer for Vogue’s oldest cover model to date and Asian cultural icon, Apo Whang-Od by Artu Nepomuceno.

In the same breath, supporting fellow podcasters within my range or genre is more than important, as they also aim to encourage others to stay true to their ethnic origins and provide considerate pieces of advice through their own distinct styles.

Now it's time to prepare the headphones and hit play as we wind through the selected podcasts that will allow the dull chores and mindless breaks at work to be more bearable.

1. Latinos Out Loud

The clever play on the slang term, Laughing Out Loud, paired with the vibrant, eye-catching cover that displays a crowd of passionate Latinx individuals with different shades of skin tones in an urban center, is no match for the actual content within each and every episode of this podcast. It embodies humor like no other, as the hosts (primarily the comedian Rachel La Loca) allow their easy-going personas to assure the special guests that they interview to just be themselves.

There are times that I catch myself laughing even when the conversation revolves around deeper topics, but in that way, it makes this particular show stand out for this element exactly. There is a generally fun vibe that makes this podcast good to listen to on any occasion, while also getting some background to the enriching culture of the Latinx community. In the following episode below, which features Georgie Aldaco, a TV writer, it looks into the challenges as well as satisfactions that come with presenting a written sketch that hones in on a hyper-cultural background.

2. Salam, Girl!

Despite the increasing popularity of diverse podcasts, there are only a few that cater to those who practice Islam. Salam, Girl! would be one of these podcasts as it serves to provide a platform for Muslim women in particular.

The hosts, Monica Traverzo and Nicole Queen are Americans that have had an interesting journey navigating the lifestyle of Islam. With their conversion, they have enabled themselves to go over the topics that they had initially been new to and how they have adapted to it but aside from their informative tips, they've also reached out to other Muslims that share their varying perspectives.

3. Code Switch

NPR's Code Switch doesn't focus on a specific ethnic cluster or race, making it more inclusive for everyone that aspires to soak in new knowledge from varying cultures and backgrounds. This also means that there is no particular set of hosts that pop up in each episode, which prompts diversification as the speakers come to be people of color with extensive journalist backgrounds.

But aside from the consistently changing hosts, each and every episode veers into topics that almost remotely resemble a consistent theme besides cultural significance, which makes it fresh in that way. On one occasion, an episode may fall under Pop culture, as it discusses the negative influences that the concept of the male gaze has on society, while on another occasion, the episode may be categorized under Korean culture as it talks about the historical roots of K-POP, a musical genre that has since gained extreme following over millions individuals across the globe in recent years.

4. The Black Girl Bravado

There's no better way to improve than having someone be there to tell you straight-up, which is what co-hosts, Germani Manning and Brittany Lackey encourage as they emphasize their close friendship and bold empowerment towards seeking appreciation and love for black women out there to feel confident. The podcast has not only been recognized by Spotify, but also branches from the production company founded by the award-winning journalist, Jemele Hill-- The Unbothered Network.

True to being unbothered, the podcast allows for their entertaining quips and assistive advice for the well-being and lifestyle of African Americans to reach beyond the guests they interview, involving the listeners too. Mental health is often viewed as a taboo in many cultures, making The Black Girl Bravado all the more paramount in its efforts to highlight the damaging effects that come with ignoring one's sustenance.

A combination that is accommodating and direct is not normally seen among most podcasts, but this show reaches that level of clarity as the hosts reach out to black figures, such as therapist Davia Roberts, who are well-immersed in the areas surrounding mental health or have remarkable stories to put in the picture.

5. Inside Europe

European cultures are not to be generalized, especially as the large continent, home to hundreds of countries, encompasses distinctions in languages, meals, and lifestyles in each corner. However, this podcast mainly acts instead as an informative outlet that provides listeners with an update on what is currently occurring in some of the most popular European destinations, ranging from political matters to community health issues.

Being aware of the daily affairs occurring throughout the continent provides as much benefit as learning about the varying cultures found in each country. Condensing even the most important details of the news in less than an hour comes to be no problem for the hosts, who sincerely share their candid opinions in contrast with the hard facts and distinguishable truths that they present.

6. Asian Enough

An Asian-American-based podcast, created by the acclaimed magazine, LA Times, showcases an impressive line-up of participants such as Kamala Harris, the first African-American and Asian-American Vice President of the United States, and Simu Liu, actor in Kims Convenience and Marvel's Shang-Chi. Looking past the well-known names and famous characters, though, comes a deeper understanding that they weren't always in the careers or successful positions that they came to be in if not for their sacrifices and confrontations of hardships that pertained to their Asian identity.

In just a short span of about thirty minutes per episode, listeners get to know where each guest came from, what characteristics hold close to their upbringings, and what it means to be "Asian Enough" as referenced by the title of the podcast. It makes for a more genuine experience when coming to terms with the fact that where they are is not as meaningful as what it took for them to get to that point.

The podcast is made special as it challenges the stereotypes of the model minority myth, along with the false ideology that all Asians are a monolith-- a detrimental notion that may encourage the experiences of a South Asian to be lumped into the same category when compared to the experiences of an East Asian.

Kryster Carmela Labarda
1,000+ pageviews

Writer since Feb, 2023 · 2 published articles

Kryster Carmela Labarda is a Filipina-American that has a devotion for writing, videography, and public speaking— all pursuits possessing the motive to provide exposure to those from underrepresented backgrounds. She admires the way in which words can impact a community and tell an expressive story within the humanities and arts, while also loving the complexity involved with the natural sciences. Kryster aims to reach teenagers from around the world to address the trending and controversial topics that she has navigated through and is still learning from.

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