Friday Newsflow: Freedom Means More Than a Day Off
Yesterday was Juneteenth—a celebration of liberation, legacy, and the unshakeable resilience of Black communities across the U.S. It marks the day in 1865 when the last group of enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free. But honoring Juneteenth in podcasting takes more than just a social media post or a themed episode.
So if you're wondering how to truly recognize Juneteenth on your show (especially if you’re not Black), start here:
What’s Happening
Podcasts have the power to document history and shape the future. Every year, more shows use their mics to highlight Black joy, struggle, resistance, and imagination. But it’s not just Black-led shows that hold this responsibility. Across genres—true crime, health, spirituality, parenting, business—there are opportunities to honor the holiday and uplift Black voices with intention.
Why It Matters
True allyship in podcasting isn’t seasonal. And visibility without support isn’t equity. If Juneteenth is about freedom, then in podcasting that looks like:
Giving Black creators ownership of their narratives
Opening doors to funding, training, and network growth
Challenging the industry’s default whiteness, especially in gatekeeping roles
Remembering that celebrating Blackness means honoring the full humanity of Black people, not just Black pain
Your Move
Here’s how you can honor Juneteenth (even after June 19th):
Pass the mic: Invite Black guests. Not just for a Juneteenth special, but regularly and without requiring them to “represent” their entire culture.
Shout out Black-led shows: Make it part of your outro, newsletter, or show notes. Our WOC Podcasters Directory is a great place to start.
Check your bookshelf: Use this moment to source stories, news, or inspiration from Black historians, journalists, and podcasters.
Support Black-run platforms: That includes us. If you're able, become a paid subscriber to The Podcaster’s Digest—your support funds community scholarships for Black and brown women podcasters.
Collaborate, don’t co-opt: When telling Black stories, make sure you’re not profiting off someone else’s pain or joy without giving credit, context, and compensation.
Bottom Line
Juneteenth is a reminder: none of us are free until we’re all free. So let’s keep building a podcasting world that centers equity year-round—not just on the holidays that make it into the calendar apps.
Your mic is powerful. Use it well.
💬 Got a favorite Black-hosted podcast? Hit reply and let us know—we’d love to feature it.
Help Us Grow WOC Voices in Podcasting
Two amazing women were recently awarded a one-year membership to WOC Podcasters thanks to our Substack supporters!
This is the power of community support. And we’re just getting started. Right now, less than 3% of our Substack audience are paid subscribers. But even a small shift would mean a lot.
Here’s what just one subscription can do:
🟣 At 5%, we can consistently offer free memberships to women who need them
🟣 At 10%, we can fund monthly workshops, templates, and resources for indie creators
🟣 At 20%, we can offer microgrants, bring on paid contributors, and expand our public-facing tools—like the podcast directory
We’re building something creator-led and community-first. No corporate fluff. Just intentional space for growth, visibility, and care.
If you believe in that work, help us grow it.
$5/month or $50/year. Subscribe here.
Catch up on our shows
In this eye-rolling episode, the ladies of Are You Free for Coffee , unpack the messy tale of a man who purposely left vomit for his wife to clean—while she was busy helping their young kids. Petty or problematic? Tune in for the drama!
On Grad School Femtoring, Yvette addresses the significance of visibility without hustle for first-generation, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and nontraditional students. She explains why visibility matters for career advancement and community building, debunks common myths about visibility, and provides practical strategies for increasing visibility without having to hustle your way there. Learn why networking is essential, the importance of making your work accessible, and how to build genuine connections that can help you advance both professionally and personally.
On The Artist Pivot podcast, Ayanna is joined by the powerhouse storyteller, artist, and social entrepreneur Satori Shakoor. From her earliest artistic dreams in second grade to the groundbreaking Brides of Funkenstein and launching her own theater company, Satori has mastered the art of the pivot—constantly reinventing herself and her creative journey.
On The Growth Mindset Gal, Allie welcomes back the amazing Jenay Lambert. Jenay is a certified relationship and life coach and the voice behind the podcast My Naked Mindset, a space where taboo topics get the spotlight they deserve. She's passionate about breaking stigmas and creating honest conversations around the things most people shy away from. She recently launched Pearl & Petal Co., a girly gift shop.
Network and Learn at these Upcoming Events
*Podcast Offers: Turn Your Show Into a Lead Generator - June 25th at 4pm ET
Build offers that align with your podcast—and convert your listeners into buyers. Your podcast is more than just content—it’s a trust-building engine. This workshop is for service providers, creatives, coaches, or educators who want to build simple, intentional offers that turn their audience into clients or customers. You don’t need a complicated funnel to monetize—you need aligned messaging, clear CTAs, and a deep understanding of what your audience actually needs. {WOC Podcasters Members. Not a member? Join here.}
How to make an audio doc from soup to nuts - Radio Boot Camp - June 22 at 1pm ET: Congratulations! Your pitch was greenlit by your favorite show! Your dream of making a longform narrative podcast or radio documentary is about to come true. But, with this big new commission comes a lot of pressure. Where do you even begin? Producer Chris Berube will walk you through the Entire Process. From the first Google doc outline to how many script rewrites shows will expect, to how to prepare for final fact checking, Chris will cover it all. He’ll draw from his years of experience making docs for podcasts like 99% Invisible, 30 for 30 and The Dropout to explain how to find great archival tape, and how to get the most from your interview subjects. And finally, he’ll discuss how to structure your narrative in a way that will keep listeners engaged all the way through. [$100]
Business and Podcasting Networking Event For Female Entrepreneurs - June 24 at 12pm CT: Join us for an empowering online event where powerful female entrepreneurs dive into the world of business and podcasting. After this free-flow FAQ session, you’ll walk away with: Your burning podcasting questions answered; New female entrepreneurs to add to your network; and renewed energy about your next step. [Free]
Building a Podcast Brand: From Cover Art to Community - June 25 at 9am PT: In this comprehensive webinar, Robert Van Vranken, Launch Specialist at The Podcast Consultant, will guide you through the essential elements of building a memorable podcast brand. From designing compelling cover art that stops scrollers in their tracks to developing your unique sonic signature, Robert will share proven strategies for creating a brand that resonates with your target audience. You’ll discover how to align your content strategy with your brand identity, optimize your presence across podcast directories, and leverage social media to extend your reach. [Free]
Doors are open to join the WOC Podcasters community!
WOC Podcasters is an inclusive podcasting community for Women of Color podcasters, audio creators, and professionals to connect, learn, and share resources. From esteemed podcasting leaders to aspiring podcasters looking to get started, this community will help you find the resources to prosper along your creative journey. Join with a 30-day free trial here.
Want to Submit Your Content to The Podcaster’s Digest?
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