That Black Couple Podcast Jenn and Daren

In this episode, Jenn and Daren dive deep into the exploitation of Black labor, drawing from their personal experiences working for Disney. They shed light on the harsh realities faced by Disney workers, particularly Black employees, and discuss the broader implications of these labor practices within the context of American capitalism.

The episode begins with Jenn and Daren discussing the recent viral video of Disney characters unionizing and the importance of labor unions in protecting workers' rights. They then share anecdotes from the time they each spent at Disney, revealing the less-than-magical side of the company including the exploitation of part-time workers, overt racism and anti-Blackness.

In the second segment, Jenn and Daren broaden the conversation to include the systemic issues that Black workers face across various industries. They cite statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Brookings Institute to illustrate the disparities in employment and pay for Black workers, and discuss the additional challenges faced by Black women and men in the workplace.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of mental health and work-life balance, particularly for Black workers navigating hostile work environments. Jenn shares her personal journey from STEM to academia and the pressures she faced, while Daren emphasizes the need for self-care and ethical work practices.

Reference Material:
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/31/black-workers-views-and-experiences-in-the-us-labor-force-stand-out-in-key-ways/#:~:text=Black%20Americans%20make%20up%20large,time%20and%20are%20self%2Demployed
https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/04/07/black-americans-views-of-education-and-professional-opportunities-in-science-technology-engineering-and-math/
https://www.epi.org/indicators/state-unemployment-race-ethnicity/
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-are-employment-rates-so-low-among-black-men/
S1E5 - The Erasure of Black Women's Work - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/episode-5-the-erasure-of-black-womens-work
Rutgers doctoral student gives birth on same day she defends dissertation - https://abc7ny.com/post/rutgers-doctoral-student-goes-into-early-labor-gives-birth-on-same-day-she-defends-dissertation-from-hospital/14780220/
Why I will no longer use my unpaid labor to discuss race in America with white people - https://watercoolerconvos.com/2017/09/10/will-no-longer-use-unpaid-labor-discuss-race-america-white-people/
On Nnedi Okorafor and when Hollywood values our work but erases our names - https://watercoolerconvos.com/2017/09/14/nnedi-okorafor-erasure/


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Email: ThatBLKCouple@gmail.com

Podcast Summary:
This is an accidentally funny podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life. We do “adult” differently. We are That Black Couple.
Our goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on their own terms. We aren’t beholden to “traditional” gender or parenting roles, queerness is fluid and present in the ways we show up in our relationships and in the world, and we want to build community with other 30-something Black folx who are trying to figure this ish out.

In this episode, Jenn and Daren delve into the harrowing topic of domestic violence and physical abuse, focusing on the entertainment and music industries where violence against women, especially Black women, is rampant. They urge listeners to take care of themselves and provide resources for victims and survivors of abuse at the end of the episode.


The conversation begins with the recent allegations against Diddy and the leaked video of his violent behavior towards Cassie. Jenn and Daren dissect Diddy's non-apology and the broader implications of such public displays of violence. Then, they cover the disturbing case of DJ Akademiks, who has been accused of heinous acts of abuse and has threatened to expose others in the industry. The conversation extends to other known abusers in the entertainment industry, stressing the need for accountability and support for victims.


In the third segment, Jenn and Daren highlight the toxic culture that enables abusers to thrive, emphasizing the importance of believing victims and holding abusers accountable. It will take the community of people around abusers speaking up to break the cycle of harm.


If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. You can also text the word "BEGIN" to 88788. For sexual assault resources, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). These resources are available 24/7 and are 100% confidential.

Reference Material:
* National Domestic Violence Hotline - https://www.thehotline.org/
* RAINN: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - https://www.rainn.org/
* What Happens to Famous Black Men Following Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Allegations? - https://www.theroot.com/what-happens-to-famous-black-men-following-domestic-vio-1851293287
* S6E5 - Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/s6e5-recognizing-sexual-assault-awareness-month
* Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) “Let’s make a narcissist’s apology from scratch” - https://www.instagram.com/chescaleigh/reel/C7M6NazyGvg/?hl=en
* Dr. Jessica Taylor (@DrJessTaylor)FAMOUS MAN ABUSING WOMEN Script - https://x.com/DrJessTaylor/status/1792254495130341604?s=19

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SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple
Email: ThatBLKCouple@gmail.com

Podcast Summary:
This is an accidentally funny podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life. We do “adult” differently. We are That Black Couple.
Our goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on their own terms. We aren’t beholden to “traditional” gender or parenting roles, queerness is fluid and present in the ways we show up in our relationships and in the world, and we want to build community with other 30-something Black folx who are trying to figure this ish out.

In this episode, Jenn and Daren ask the questions “what qualifies as rest” and "what does it take for rest to qualify as resistance?”

In the first segment, Jenn shares an Instagram conversation that sparked the episode's theme. They question if rest, defined as the absence of activity, can be considered a form of resistance. They reference Dr. Tricia Hersey's argument that rest disrupts capitalistic systems of production that are anti-Black and white supremacist in nature. They emphasize the need to understand what rest and resistance truly entail.

In the second segment, Jenn and Daren discuss the sleep deficit that Black people face and how the quality of their sleep is far poorer than others. With that in mind, they outline how rest can take the form of resistance and what types of activities are included under the umbrella of rest. Jenn then does a deep dive into the concept of "deviance as resistance" and why we can’t take books like “Rest Is Resistance” at face value. We have to do the reading and do the work for our rest to not be solely a selfish act.

In the third segment, Jenn and Daren share some tools that make rest resistance. They also encourage everyone to be intentional and thoughtful about the type of rest they need and how they are going to get it.

Reference Material:
* S2E20 - Black Sleep Matters - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/thatblackcouple-ep-20-black-sleep-matters
* https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-black-americans-get-less-sleep-than-white-americans#overview
* Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey - https://amzn.to/3VdIHOM

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Email: ThatBLKCouple@gmail.com

Podcast Summary:
This is an accidentally funny podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life. We do “adult” differently. We are That Black Couple.
Our goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on their own terms. We aren’t beholden to “traditional” gender or parenting roles, queerness is fluid and present in the ways we show up in our relationships and in the world, and we want to build community with other 30-something Black folx who are trying to figure this ish out.

In this episode, Jenn and Daren bring to light April as Autism Acceptance Month by highlighting the unique experience of being Black and neurodivergent, focusing specifically on autism. In the first segment, Jenn shares their own experience of being a Black neurodivergent person and conversations they had online with Black autistic people around their difficulties in understanding social cues. Daren highlights the importance of including a young Black lesbian woman named Journey on the Netflix show “Love on the Spectrum.”

In the second segment, Daren foregrounds the conversation in the history of the autism diagnosis, defining the spectrum of autistic disorders (ASD) and how non-white people have been largely diagnosed later (or not at all) in comparison to white people. Jenn focuses on the real challenges Black autistic people face throughout their lives and in every area of society, including institutional dangers.

In the third segment, Jenn and Daren offer resources and support networks that people can take advantage of including organizations like The Color of Autism Foundation and social media platforms like Dr. Sam (_simplysr on TikTok).

Reference Material:
* CDC: Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(ASD)%20is,%2C%20 moving%2C%20 or%20 paying%20 attention
* Why Do Black Children With Autism Get Diagnosed Late? - https://childmind.org/article/why-do-black-children-with-autism-get-diagnosed-late/
* Autism now more common among Black, Hispanic kids in US - https://apnews.com/article/how-common-is-autism-e38179682e2759b0aff9c017bf7ebf61
* Healthline: For Neurodivergent Black Adults, What’s in a Diagnosis? Nia’s Story - https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/nias-adhd-autism-story
* TIME: Black, Disabled and at Risk: The Overlooked Problem of Police Violence Against Americans with Disabilities - https://time.com/5857438/police-violence-black-disabled/
* The Color of Autism Foundation - https://thecolorofautism.org/
* The HollyRod Foundation - https://hollyrod.org/
Autism Society Screening & Diagnosis for BIPOC Communities - https://autismsociety.org/february-resources-black-history-month-screening-diagnosis-for-bipoc-communities/
* Dr. Sam (_simplysr on TikTok) https://www.tiktok.com/@_simplysr
* S5E7 - Black Mental Health Check-In - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/s5e7-black-mental-health-check-in
* S4E10 - Mental Health Awareness Month Debrief - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/thatblackcouple-season-4-episode-10-mental-health-awareness-month-debrief

www.ThatBlackCouple.com
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Email: ThatBLKCouple@gmail.com

Podcast Summary:
This is an accidentally funny podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life. We do “adult” differently. We are That Black Couple.
Our goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on their own terms. We aren’t beholden to “traditional” gender or parenting roles, queerness is fluid and present in the ways we show up in our relationships and in the world, and we want to build community with other 30-something Black folx who are trying to figure this ish out.

In this episode, Jenn and Daren highlight Sexual Assault and Prevention Month. In the first segment, Jenn shares how sexual assault is an unavoidable part of her Black Politics course, and Daren shares his experience watching the “Quiet On Set” documentary that exposes the mistreatment and abuse of child actors at Nickelodeon during the 1990’s.

In the second segment, Jenn and Daren dive deeper into this topic, explaining what constitutes sexual assault or harrassment. Daren shares troubling statistics about sexual assault and the pair talk about how the state and government are not setup to appropriately support and protect the most vulnerable of us. And it is no surprise when the current 2 candidates for U.S. President are known abusers. In the end, we all have a responsibility to hold each other accountable for abusing or harassing behavior.

In the third segment, Jenn and Daren discuss their personal experiences with sexual assault and harrassment. For Daren, he shared how this is a continual problem he faces as an asexual man, and Jenn shares how her most recent relationship ended due to her partner's friend assaulting her and her partner not properly protecting them or addressing the issue.

If you or someone you know experienced sexual assault and is seeking resources, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org.

Reference Material:
* National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) - https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
* Fast Facts: Preventing Sexual Violence - ttps://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/fastfact.html
* The Not Rape Epidemic (Latoya Peterson) - https://deadwildroses.com/2014/03/19/the-not-rape-epidemic-latoya-peterson/
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot Hardcover (Mikki Kendall) - https://amzn.to/4cTXd5b

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Email: ThatBLKCouple@gmail.com

Podcast Summary:
This is an accidentally funny podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life. We do “adult” differently. We are That Black Couple.
Our goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on their own terms. We aren’t beholden to “traditional” gender or parenting roles, queerness is fluid and present in the ways we show up in our relationships and in the world, and we want to build community with other 30-something Black folx who are trying to figure this ish out.

In this Rundown episode, Jenn and Daren get caught up on recent pop culture news. They start off talking about how apt it is that during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, it appears that accused abusers like Sea “Diddy” Combs and Russell Simmons are being held accountable. While they are not advocates of the carceral system of punishment, they are fully behind restorative justice, and accountability is a cornerstone of that.

In the second segment, Jenn and Daren give updates on the political landscape, from Joe Biden’s star-studded fundraiser to Candice Owens getting fired from Daily Wire to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. In each instance, they highlight how politically misguided the country is at the moment. At a time where literal genocides are happening, a flashy fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall might look a bit tone deaf. Candice Owens has been a blight for the Black community for years, but her finding her way to Black media after being fired shows the media’s willingness to platform anybody or anything that will draw eyeballs, ears, or clicks. And when the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed, conservative voices focused on trying to blame it on failed immigration policies or DEI, instead of mourning the loss of life and advocating for its restoration.

In the third segment, Jenn and Daren reflect on the space Shaun King and Amanda Seales take up in our culture.Shaun King has been accused of being a grifter for years, and his conversion to Islam to stand “in solidarity” with Palestinians feels like more of the same. And after Amanda Seales complained about articles pointing out that she might be getting iced out Black Hollywood because people might not enjoy working with her, it is time for folks to look at themselves in the mirror and take accountability for their actions. Everything can’t be someone else’s fault. Sometimes you create your own problems.

Reference Material:
S2E26 - Why We Aren't Rooting For Everybody Black - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/thatblackcouple-ep-26-why-we-arent-rooting-for-everybody-black
S1E8 - Harvey Weinstein and Gaslighting as Culture - https://soundcloud.com/thatblackcouple/thatblackcouple-ep-8-harvey-weinstein-and-gaslighting-as-culture
Op-Ed: It's Time To Admit That Being Liked Is More Important Than Being Good At Your Job - https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/amanda-seales-competence-likability-career/
Amanda Seales is not a victim of anything but her own hubris - https://thegrio.com/2024/04/02/amanda-seales-is-not-a-victim-of-anything-but-her-own-hubris/

www.ThatBlackCouple.com
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Email: ThatBLKCouple@gmail.com

Podcast Summary:
This is an accidentally funny podcast about the realities of Blackness and adult life. We do “adult” differently. We are That Black Couple.
Our goal is to create a space for Black millennials to discuss and embody adult life on their own terms. We aren’t beholden to “traditional” gender or parenting roles, queerness is fluid and present in the ways we show up in our relationships and in the world, and we want to build community with other 30-something Black folx who are trying to figure this ish out.