Podcasts to prompt conversation about race
It can be quite hard to know when and how to talk to our children about race. Here at STORYSKIMO, we believe that stories provide a simple path to the tough topics.
Good podcasts and audiobooks can prompt questions, allowing you to begin scratching the surface of issues like racism. On long family drives and even a part of bedtime tales, listening to stories can be done anywhere and anytime. But, it can be frustrating to find the right types of audio experiences that discuss different communities at a level that is easy for children to understand.
Below, find a list of amazing resources for you to listen to with your children. The topics range include history from around the world to podcasts discussing racism.
And for the parents, we have organized several podcasts to develop a deeper understanding of racial injustices and advice from the experts on how to talk with our children.
FOR CHILDREN
Cute audio stories to explain the meaning of diversity
What if the lion and the elephant met up to get spaghetti?: This podcast narrates the story of two friends, an elephant and a lion, who love to spend time together in the jungle. But then, someone turns up and causes some trouble, believing that an elephant and lion can never be friends!
What if unicorns turn invisible when they get mad?: This podcast delves into the themes of injustice and prejudice. The narrator discusses the importance of listening to the people who are treated unfairly!
Podcasts
Dad and Me Love History: In this collection of podcasts, James Anderson and his Father explain several interesting aspects of history. To further explore the history of different cultures, we recommend Episodes 33, 32, 27, 17, and 6.
Injustice and Anger: Understanding your Emotions: This wonderful podcast discusses tension that surrounds our community today and how to harness these emotions for change.
Videos
A Kids Book about Racism: Jelani Memory reads his books “A Kids Book about Racism”, providing a clear description of what racism is, how it feels, and when it happens!
Empathy Day: Empathy Read Aloud: Empathy Lab has organized several videos of authors and poets reading their work to teach children about the importance of empathy!
Sesame Street Explain Black Lives Matter: Unlike the other materials we provided, this link is to a video by Sesame Street. Elmo’s dad wonderfully explains the Black Lives Matter Movement and reason people around the world are fighting for change.
FOR PARENTS
Anti-racist parenting
Integrate Schools: Families Choosing Integration: This podcast channel talks about the hard conversations - race and inequality in our schools. Though it is based in the US, the topics are important to understand the racial issues we are facing today.
How White Parents Can Talk to their Kids about Race: Many people are talking about the conversation that African Americans are forced to give their children about how deal with the police. But, it is equally important to understand how White families should discuss racism.
Talking Race with Young Children: This podcast focuses on how to talk to children about race and inclusion. Using simple language and ideas, this podcast helps explain all the basic for parents.
Understanding the present situation
Why Now, White People?: This podcast contains some explicit language, but it discusses an important question that many of us have. Why now? Racial issues have been occurring for decades in the United States, but there must be something that was different this time. NPR asks people on social media, “what do you think?”
About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge: The author behind the bestseller “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race”, Reni Eddo-Lodge, discusses the history that has contributed to politics of today.
Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast: This podcast series delves into the “voices, stories, and strategies of racial justice.” Unlike conventional conversation about race, Momentum explores the stories that can inspires us to drive change.
Raising Free People: This podcast series focuses on the stories of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color. Akilah S. Richards and guests delve into the “fears and fares of raising free black people and brown children in a world that tends to diminish” them.
Understanding the History
Akala and David Olusoga, Striking the Empire: June Sarpong talks with Akala and David Olusoga about race and societal structure in Britain today.
1619: This podcast channel from The New York Times explains how slavery impact America’s society, not only in the past, but also in our communities today.
Seeing White: John Biewen and several guests, including Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika, discusses the roots of the concept of “whiteness.” Where does it come from? What does it mean?
Confronting the Past: This podcast talks about a riot that destroyed a black neighborhood in North Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. It’s an event that is often not remembered, but needs to be discussed.
In order to help our children learn about these issues, we must be able to confront our own prejudices and view the situation from multiple perspectives.
We hope you found this resources useful! Also, please do check out our blog about how to discuss race with our children here !
STORYSKIMO is an audio-led platform of curated audio stories and podcasts to engage children. Our mission is to offer beautiful audio experiences to children.