Best Jan And Miles Menafee Podcasts (2025)

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100. The Greatest Love of All with Dr. Pamela Ellis 1:08:48

1y ago1:08:48

1:08:48

In this live recording special, we talk with our mom about the book that changed her relationship to reading, Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan. She takes us back to the '90s and surprises us with stories we've never heard before... --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/support…

1
99. Considering Genius, Jazz & the Sublime with Robert Menafee 1:33:42

1y ago1:33:42

1:33:42

In this episode, we talk with our dad, Robert Menafee, about jazz and all of the things that jazz shines a light on. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/supportBy Jan and Miles Menafee

1
98. A Real Ballers Read Freestyle 1:17:18

1y ago1:17:18

1:17:18

In this episode, we reflect on our incredible journey with this podcast. A true freestyle. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/supportBy Jan and Miles Menafee

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97. Twenty-One Questions 1:31:30

1y ago1:31:30

1:31:30

We learned a lot about questions during this podcast, so we wanted to dedicate an episode to just asking each other fun questions and questions about questions. How many questions can you count? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/supportBy Jan and Miles Menafee

1
96. Song of Solomon with Danny Dunson 2:40:40

1+ y ago2:40:40

2:40:40

In this episode, we talk with our brilliant older brother, Danny Dunson. Danny went to church on this one, sharing an interwoven story and analysis of his life and experience with Toni Morrison's classic work, Song of Solomon. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/support…

1
95. Holy American Burnout with Sean Enfield 1:12:42

1+ y ago1:12:42

1:12:42

In this episode, we talk with the incredible writer, Sean Enfield about his debut collection of essays, Holy American Burnout. Sean goes deep into the questions and experiences that shaped the writing of this book and still propel his thinking today. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/support…

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94. With Love, We Fight with Kendall Bryant 1:04:18

1+ y ago1:04:18

1:04:18

In this episode, we talk with the brilliant Kendall Bryant about a book that's in the hallowed halls of their personal canon, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. The story of this book for Kendall is interwoven with their history, their conception of the present, and their vision for the future. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/…

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93. Emergent Strategy with Justus Pugh 1:35:02

1+ y ago1:35:02

1:35:02

In this episode with our dear brother, Justus Pugh we talk about beavers, ducks, bird people, and all of the beauty of discovering the world anew through the lens of Emergent Strategy, adrienne marie brown's classic book. e --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/support…

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92. No Apologies with Felton Kizer 1:25:51

1+ y ago1:25:51

1:25:51

Felton Kizer is an uncontainable creative and entrepreneur who we also know as a dear friend and brother. In this episode, we talk about a book that is as raw and truthful as he is, Prelude to King. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/supportBy Jan and Miles Menafee

1
91. Exploring Health and the Meaning of Home with Sidney Miles 47:18

1+ y ago47:18

47:18

We got to chop it up with our good brother Sidney, a local Chicago legend, fitness coach, entrepreneur, artist, model, and community organizer. We talked with him about his story getting back into reading in college, the importance of books to his health practices, and what home and community means to him being raised and having family all over the…

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90. Sand, Sweat & Poetry with Ashanee Kottage 1:16:41

1+ y ago1:16:41

1:16:41

In this episode, we are joined by our exceptionally talented friend, Ashanee Kottage. Ashanee is a multi-hyphenate artist and has just published her debut poetry collection, Sand & Sweat. We talk about Ashanee's creative process, exploring the blend of personal experiences, cultural influences, and literary inspirations that shape her poetry. This …

1
89. Exploring Césaire's "Return to My Native Land" with Mamadou. 1:20:09

1+ y ago1:20:09

1:20:09

In this episode, we talk with our good brother Mamadou about Aimé Césaire's book-length poem "Return to My Native Land" and how it has already shaped his thinking and storytelling. We make sense of what it means to be reading this poem in the present moment and why the poem is as relevant as ever! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotif…

1
88. Being the Main Character with Cam Burton 1:25:37

1+ y ago1:25:37

1:25:37

Cam Burton is one of our brilliant friends who thinks deeply and humorously on a wide range of topics. In this episode, we talk about what he's been reading recently and the technological sci-fi landscape that we find ourselves in today. This one is for the main characters... --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realbal…

1
87. The Future of Technology with Jadal Williams 1:00:07

1+ y ago1:00:07

1:00:07

In this episode, we talked with our friend, Jadal Williams, a genius studying robotics for his PhD at MIT. He just came back from an exciting trip abroad where he got to see the future of robotic technology and we talked about what this future may hold for all of us... --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersrea…

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86. When Black Boys Become Black Men with Donta 1:12:58

1+ y ago1:12:58

1:12:58

We sat down with the man, myth, and legend—Donta from the popular community, Gold Mouf Book Club. Through the lens of Richard Wright's memoir Black Boy, we talk about what it means to truly be radical now in 2023, the role of religion in the Black community, the power of anger, and what it means to be a Black man. You'll really enjoy getting to kno…

1
85. The Intimacy of Audiobooks with Forrest Evans 55:48

1+ y ago55:48

55:48

In this episode, our first-ever guest on the show, Forrest Evans, returns!! Forrest brought the heat with talking about the intimate potential of audiobooks, observing what parts of herself she's been exploring in her reading recently, and demonstrating what it means to be a leader as a librarian in this era of censorship and book bans. --- Support…

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84. Revolutionized Relationships with Mechiya Jamison 45:37

1+ y ago45:37

45:37

In this part 2 episode, we talked with Mechiya about the all the ins and outs of relationships: having emotional intelligence, processing hurt, dating, gender norms in the Black community, and friendship. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/supportBy Jan and Miles Menafee

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83. Revolutionized Learning with Mechiya Jamison 46:40

1+ y ago46:40

46:40

We got to sit in person with the one and only Mechiya Jamison to talk about one of her favorite books, Assata. We talked about many aspects of liberation: organizing, education, our environment, class consciousness, climate, gender, and even the role of shame. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/support…

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82. Forget the Alamo with Travis Green and Jason Stanford 1:07:46

1+ y ago1:07:46

1:07:46

In this episode, we talk with Real Ballers Read legend Travis Green and his friend and co-author of the book, Forget the Alamo, Jason Stanford. We talk about the truth and myth of the Alamo, how foundational it is to Texas history, the difference between history and historiography, and how the Alamo is still relevant to this day. History buffs, Tex…

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81. Embracing the Sublime with Seanathan Polidore 1:14:02

1+ y ago1:14:02

1:14:02

In this episode, we are joined by the one and only Sean P! We talk about how he discovered his love of reading through the Navy, finding the positive in everything you read, coping with grief, and the golden age of Hip-Hop. Seanathan is a multi-talented autodidact who you'll love getting to know as much as we did! Welcome to the Sean P. Experience …

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80. The Epic Story of The Black Fives with Claude Johnson 1:21:04

1+ y ago1:21:04

1:21:04

In this episode, we talk with Claude Johnson, the author of the triumphant 2022 book, The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball's Forgotten Era. We discussed his world-spanning childhood, the incredible decades-long journey of writing his book, fatherhood, and the future of basketball. All fans of history and sports will love this one! Check ou…

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79. Art, Science, and Liberation with Delia West 1:11:17

1+ y ago1:11:17

1:11:17

Delia West is an art teacher and scientist who's thinking in revolutionary ways. In this episode, we talk with her about one of her favorite books, The Disordered Cosmos by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, how she got back into reading, her deep passion for all things science, and what liberation looks like for her! --- Support this podcast: https://podca…

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78. Being Original with Chinelo Ikem 1:00:19

1+ y ago1:00:19

1:00:19

It might seem increasingly difficult to be original in these times, but Chinelo proves that to be original all you really have to be is honest. In this fun conversation, we talk about our sense of fashion, fantasy novels, and the nuance of everything we've been reading recently. We know you'll love this episode. Be sure to check out Chinelo's IG pa…

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77. Soul Food with Onyi Ozoma 1:36:15

1+ y ago1:36:15

1:36:15

In this episode, we talk with a friend of ours, Onyi Ozoma, about a collage of different topics, including adjusting into adult life, Toni Morrison's Beloved, new music we've been enjoying, and what it possibly means to be a lost soul. This conversation was soul food for us, without the subsequent itis. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.…

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76. Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters with Lynnée Denise 1:00:29

2y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Lynnée Denise filled the silence of her pandemic with the rich sounds and legacy of Willie Mae Thorton. The outcome of that deep listening, reading, and viewing practice is Lynnée's amazing new book, Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters. In this interview, she talks about her interdisciplinary and interdependent approach to writing her book, how she cam…

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75. The Importance of the Black Working Class with Dr. Blair LM Kelley 1:02:23

2y ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Blair LM Kelley, an award-winning historian, professor, and writer about her recent book, Black Folk. We talked about how she made the study of history her own, how she thinks about progress in the Black community, her gratitude to Toni Morrison, and on whether Beyonce's "Break My Soul" is a Black working class ant…

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74. American Whitelash with Wesley Lowery 35:53

2y ago35:53

35:53

Our guest today is an incredible reporter and journalist—Wesley Lowery. In this episode we talk with him about his recently released book, American Whitelash, and how he approaches his writing. Check out Real Ballers Read here --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/support…

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73. The New Black Aesthetic with Trey Ellis 43:50

2y ago43:50

43:50

Our guest today is a true writer's writer - novelist, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter Trey Ellis! Trey Ellis is the author of four books and is currently a professor at Columbia University. In this episode we talk with him about his early inspiration as a reader and writer, the New Black Aesthetic and more. Check out Real Ballers Read here C…

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72. From Precocious to the Pulitzer with Dr. Marcia Chatelain 39:06

2y ago39:06

39:06

Dr. Marcia Chatelain is a professor of History and African American Studies at Georgetown University and the author of two books: South Side Girls: Growing Up in the Great Migration, and the Pulitzer Prize winning Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America. In this episode, we first learn from Dr. Chatelain about her upbringing in Chicago - all …

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71. On Our Resilience and Brilliance with Dr. Daniel Black 56:23

2y ago56:23

56:23

Dr. Daniel Black is a professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University and the author of seven novels and the new collection of essays, Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America. In this episode featuring him and two of his friends, Dr. Black brought us to church, brought us to the water, and brought us home to ou…

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70. The Color of Science with Dr. Frederic Bertley 1:17:03

2y ago1:17:03

1:17:03

Dr. Frederic Bertley is an Emmy-Award-winning science educator and immunologist from Montreal, Canada. He currently serves as the president of the nation's #1 science museum, COSI (Center of Science and Industry) in Columbus, Ohio. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Bertley about how he came to love reading, how he fell in love with science, and as…

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69. Race Matters: Talking About Cornel West's Classic 28:29

2y ago28:29

28:29

This April was the 30th anniversary of Race Matters by Cornel West. It's a great book that I wanted to just sit on the couch to talk to y'all about! Highly recommend reading through the book if you haven't, it's not as academic as it may seem. You can check out the book with this link. :40 How I found the book 1:39 A little context for the book 4:3…

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68. The Unexpected and Fun History of "Simple" with Dr. Donna Akiba Sullivan Harper 1:14:19

2y ago1:14:19

1:14:19

In this episode, we were honored to talk with educator, teacher and writer extraordinaire, Dr. Donna Akiba Sullivan Harper. She taught at Spelman for 32 years and was the Fuller E. Calloway Professor of English. She is also a world renowned expert on Langston Hughes and his Simple stories. We talked about her longtime love and scholarship of Langst…

1
67. How and Why to Start a Podcast 33:32

2+ y ago33:32

33:32

We don't know everything about podcasting, but we do know that it's one of the most fun and fulfilling things we've ever done. Everyone who enjoys listening to podcasts should at least *consider* producing one because it's a great opportunity for personal growth and community-building. Here in this episode, Jan shares some of the origin story of Re…

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66. The Tale of Two Magazine Covers: Discussing Black Men in Popular Media 19:15

2+ y ago19:15

19:15

So in the last couple of weeks there was a small controversy on Twitter about two magazine covers, one with Jonathan Majors and another with ASAP Rocky and Rihanna. The controversy was over whether or not there is an agenda to effeminize Black men in popular media. In this episode, I wanted to talk about to two writers who had a similar debate befo…

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65. Continuing Our Exploration of "Simple" with Uncle Chris 1:04:45

2+ y ago1:04:45

1:04:45

Real Ballers Read returns to Langston Hughes’s legendary but long-forgotten character, Jess B. Semple in this week’s podcast episode! This time with our hilarious and brilliant Uncle Chris “CockaRue” Wesson. Last summer, Uncle Chris asked if we knew Jess B. Semple and his favorite book series Simple Speaks His Mind, Simple Takes A Wife, and Simple …

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64. We Are The Trayvon Generation 51:03

2+ y ago51:03

51:03

“I call the young people who grew up in the past twenty-five years the Trayvon Generation. They always knew these stories. These stories formed their world view. These stories helped instruct young African-Americans about their embodiment and their vulnerability. The stories were primers in fear and futility. The stories were the ground soil of the…

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63. Who is Simple?? Talking About Langston Hughes' Beloved Character 37:35

2+ y ago37:35

37:35

“Usually over a glass of beer, he tells me his tales, mostly in high humor, but sometimes with a pain in his soul as sharp as the occasional hurt of that bunion on his right foot.” ~ Langston Hughes, 1961 Who is Simple??? For this week’s episode of Real Ballers Read, we introduce you to one of Langston Hughes’s most hilarious and lesser known chara…

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62. The Spook Who Sat By The Door 12:54

2+ y ago12:54

12:54

In this episode, Miles talks about The Spook Who Sat By The Door by Sam Greenlee. He reads a short passage from the book, talks about the questions it raises and the book's influence on Nipsey Hussle. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/realballersread/supportBy Jan and Miles Menafee

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61. The Weight of Wellness with Akili Nzuri 1:06:03

2+ y ago1:06:03

1:06:03

“Are you sure, sweetheart you want to be well? …Cause wholeness is no trifling matter. A lot of weight when you’re well.” Toni Cade Bambara opens her novel The Salt Eaters with these lines - questioning both the protagonist AND the reader to decide if they want to take on the weight of wellness. Reading this book is unlike any other reading experie…

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60. Fascinated to Presume: Zadie Smith's Powerful Essay on Fiction 1:34:21

2+ y ago1:34:21

1:34:21

“I have closed novels and stared at their back covers for a long moment and felt known in a way I cannot honestly say I have felt known by many real-life interactions with human beings, or even by myself.” ~ Zadie Smith On this week’s episode of Real Ballers Read, we dive into one of the most thought-provoking essays by the brilliant Zadie Smith, “…

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59. Poetry is Not A Luxury with Dr. Eve L. Ewing 46:43

2+ y ago46:43

46:43

Introducing… Dr Eve L. Ewing as the newest guest on the Real Ballers Read podcast!!We talked with Dr. Ewing about the power and problems of reading, why the way we frame education matters, and the two Audre Lorde essays that Dr. Ewing is constantly learning from: “Poetry is Not a Luxury” and “The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action.”…

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58. Lessons from Michael Jordan for 2023 29:30

2+ y ago29:30

29:30

"Teamwork and intelligence wins championships." In this episode, we talk about Michael Jordan's 1994 book, I Can't Accept Not Trying and what we can learn from his mindset in trying to accomplish our own goals in 2023. 1:43 Story behind the book 2:44 I Can’t Accept Not Trying… what does that mean? 4:27 Why are people afraid of failure? 5:32 Differe…

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57. Why It's Important for Black Men to Read 31:41

2+ y ago31:41

31:41

In this episode, we talk about why it's important for Black men to read! This is a topic we've been thinking about for a long time and want continue thinking and talking about with others. Let us know your thoughts and questions! :32 Why is it important for Black men to read? :49 Reading as a practice of listening 3:39 The Fear of not being heard 6…

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56. 2022, A Year in Review! 19:21

2+ y ago19:21

19:21

In this episode, Jan and Miles reflect on their year of reading! They talk about their favorite books, reflect on how reading fit into their lives and think ahead to what they are excited about reading in 2023. 1:09 Miles’ reflection on his year in reading 5:08 Year of Moving 6:33 Jan’s reflection on his year of reading 11:13 Jan’s pace of reading …

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55. Watering Whole with Jan Ellis Menafee 36:08

2+ y ago36:08

36:08

Y'all - Jan’s first book is coming out this weekend!! It’s a Happy Birthday Pub Day for my bro!! Watering Whole is a chapbook of poems that are inspired by Jan’s personal and cultural relationship with water. Jan has studied water through the lens of Black art and history, environmental justice, technology and spirituality, and his insights all com…

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54. Seeing a Sermon in Action with Daniel Cast 56:34

2+ y ago56:34

56:34

Because sometimes somebody can give a sermon through words that subtly, yet significantly, respects our humanity. And sometimes somebody can give a sermon without saying a word. Our newest guest on the Real Ballers Read podcast is one of our favorite bookstagrammers and low-key authors - Daniel Cast!! We’ve been vibing with his reflections and reco…

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53. Portrait of A Young Black Artist on Fire with Vera Grace Menafee 1:47:55

2+ y ago1:47:55

1:47:55

“The word art does not encompass the full meaning of the word” For this week’s episode of Real Ballers Read, we interviewed our sister Vera Grace (they/she), who is easily the wisest, coolest, and most creative person we know!! Vera just returned from a life-changing trip to Namibia and Southern Africa, where they deepened their study of Black agri…

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52. Celebrating Black Women for Who They Are with Shanita Hubbard 1:20:49

2+ y ago1:20:49

1:20:49

In this episode, we talk with Shanita Hubbard, the author of the new book Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women. We had an awesome time hearing from Shanita about her journey writing Ride or Die, why we must stop imposing and glorifying a Ride or Die mentality on Black women, how she's growing as a parent, her favorite…

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51. Dreaming Big with Anthony Ireland 40:43

2+ y ago40:43

40:43

Anthony Ireland is a graduate of Loyal Marymount University, he played nine years of basketball professionally in Europe, and he is the founder of the AI three Leadership Academy and host of the Grind podcast. In this episode, we talk about his love of basketball and reading and his journey with both over the years. You'll love this conversation as…

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Jan And Miles Menafee Podcasts

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