Podcasts by Whats Ray Saying?

Letters Home from 2023-12-13T08:00

After getting a response from a 30-year-old letter, Ray explores a legacy of correspondence—from his personal experience writing for illiterate parents and soldiers to the fascinating role mail ...

Know Your Place from 2023-12-06T08:00

Ray has a candid conversation with scholar and journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika, looking at the historic legacy of Jim Crow, how each of their families learned to navigate these codes, and the way...

This is the Sound of My Voice from 2023-11-29T08:00

A young Ray Christian becomes captivated by the mysterious voices coming out of the radio and quickly discovers that there are rules and repercussions to being Black and talking a certain way. Listen

Black in the Military from 2023-11-22T08:00

Ray looks back on his decision to join the army, unraveling a complicated history of Black military service and reflecting on the surprising changes the armed forces made in his life.

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Ruffling Through Our Closet from 2023-11-15T08:00

A look at Black fashion—from zoot suits to Soul Train to a complicated history of advertising. Plus, Ray reflects on the time he dropped out of school because he didn't have the right clothes. Listen

Black Medicine from 2023-11-08T08:00

To better understand the treatment of the ills, injuries and minds of Black Americans, Ray reflects on his first experience of going to the doctor.

What’s Ray Saying? is created...

What's Ray Saying is Back! from 2023-11-01T07:00

What’s Ray Saying is back!

Immerse yourself in a world of Southern-baked personal narratives, interwoven with Black American history, all told through the lens of Ray Christian'...

WRS Classic: Childs Play from 2021-04-18T13:41:55

In this episode, Ray explores the legacy of Black Children taken as slaves from Africa, growing up on plantations and the impact on their social worth and development in America.

EP 21 Childs Play from 2021-04-18T13:41:55

In this episode Ray explores the legacy of Black Children taken as slaves from Africa, growing up on Plantations and their social worth and  development in America

WRS Classic: Blacks and Indians from 2019-08-21T04:55:07

Ray explores the complex history and relationship between Black Americans and the Native people of America.

EP 20 Blacks and Indians from 2019-08-21T04:55:07

In this episode Ray explores the complex history and relationship between Black Americans and the Native people of America

WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 3—Challenging Authority from 2019-08-06T02:23

Ray explores Black leadership from the 1940s to now to reflect on it challenges and its legacies.

EP 19 Black Leadership Part 3 Challanging Authority from 2019-08-06T02:23

Ray explores Black leadership from the 40s to present  its challenges and its legacy

WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 2—The Elite Class from 2018-12-21T23:38:27

Ray explores Black leadership from the emergence of an elite class, with varying perspectives and experiences.

EP 18 Black Leadership Part 2 The Elite Class from 2018-12-21T23:38:27

Ray explores Black leadership from the emergence of an elite class, with varying perspectives and experiences.

WRS Classic: Black American Leadership Part 1—Sources and Origins from 2018-06-14T02:14:46

In this episode part one of a three part series on Black leadership, Ray explores the origins of Black influence and authority in America.

EP 17 Black American Leadership Part 1 Sources and Origins from 2018-06-14T02:14:46

In this episode part 1 of a 3 part series on Black leadership Ray explores the origins of Black influence and authority in America.

WRS Classic: Black Hair Issues from 2018-02-26T04:17:42

Ray explores the cultural and historical significance of Afro textured hair.

EP 16 Black Hair Issues from 2018-02-26T04:17:42

In this episode Ray explores the cultural and historical significance of Afro textured hair

WRS Classic: Black Americans and the Police from 2018-02-11T21:39:28

Ray explores the history and complicated relationship with Black Americans and the police.

EP 15 Black Americans and the Police from 2018-02-11T21:39:28

In this episode Ray explores the history and complicated relationship with Black Americans and the police

WRS Classic: Black in the City from 2018-01-31T01:18:41

Ray explores Black American association with the South and why Black are concentrated in urban areas of the country.

EP 14 Black in the City from 2018-01-31T01:18:41

In this episode Ray explores Black American association with the South and why Black are concentrated in urban areas of the country.

WRS Classic: Black American Naming Practices from 2018-01-24T02:38:11

Ray talks about Black American naming practice, history, traditions and conventions from slavery to the 20th century.

EP 13 Black American Naming Practices from 2018-01-24T02:38:11

In this episode Ray talks about Black American naming practice, history, traditions and conventions from slavery to the 20th century

WRS Classic: The Storyteller's Journey Part 3 from 2018-01-13T22:31:36

Ray completes the long journey of getting his stories heard, tells his life story and puts storytelling in context.

EP 12 The Storytellers Journey Part 3 from 2018-01-13T22:31:36

In this episode Ray completes the long journey of getting his stories heard, tells his life story and puts storytelling in context

WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 2 from 2017-04-17T04:28:39

Ray continues to explore his storytelling journey after the RISK! show. He talks about his appearance on The Moth Radio Hour, a story in Readers Digest and his perform...

Ep 11 The Storytellers Journey Part 2 from 2017-04-17T04:28:39

In this episode Ray continues to explore his storytelling journey after the Risk show. He talks about his appearance on the Moth Radio hour, a story in Readers Digest and  his performance on Sna...

WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 1 from 2017-03-29T02:49:28

This episode traces storytelling in African American culture, from its roots in Africa, through the Middle Passage and slavery, and continuing through time until today. Ray shares which stories ...

Ep 10 The Storytellers Journey Part 1 from 2017-03-29T02:49:28

This episode traces storytelling in African American culture, from its roots in Africa, through the Middle Passage and slavery, and continuing through time until today.  Ray touches on interesti...

WRS Classic: An Imaginary Past from 2017-01-08T01:45:18

Ray looks at the origins of a false narrative of Black American history, its racist origins, the founder of revisionist history regarding the Civil War and Reconstruction, along with its influen...

Ep 9 An Imaginary Past from 2017-01-08T01:45:18

In this episode Ray looks at the origins of a false narrative of Black American  History, its racist origins, the founder of revisionist history regarding the Civil War and Reconstruction, along...

WRS Classic: Changes and Adaptation from 2016-12-30T07:40:01

Ray examines the nature of Black American assimilation into white culture.

Ep 8 Changes and Adaptation from 2016-12-30T07:40:01

In this episode Ray examines the nature of Black American assimilation into White culture

WRS Classic: Education—in Black and White from 2016-09-19T01:50:54

What, when, how, and why Blacks learned in the US as well as what others were taught about them, from the slave quarters to HBCU’s.

Ep 7 Education: In Black and White from 2016-09-19T01:50:54

What, when, how, and why Blacks learned in the US as well as what others were taught about them, from the slave quarters to HBCU’s.

WRS Classic: Dying While Black from 2016-07-26T09:31:59

What happens after death? Not in the metaphysical, existential sense. But quite literally, what happens after death? The history of the handling of bodies of Black decedents has been filled with...

Ep 6 Dying While Black from 2016-07-26T09:31:59

What happens after death?  Not in the metaphysical, existential sense. But quite literally, what happens after death?  The history of the handling of bodies of Black decedents has been filled wi...

WRS Classic: Line of Departure from 2016-07-18T12:18:08

This special episode marks a dividing line between the old and new, where you were and where you're going, what was and what will be. Follow the journey from "seasoning" of slaves, to the life o...

Ep 5 Line of Departure from 2016-07-18T12:18:08

This special episode marks a dividing line between the old and new, where you were and where you're going, what was and what will be.  Follow the journey from "seasoning" of slaves, to the life ...

WRS Classic: Brothers in Arms from 2016-06-14T12:07:59

From the birth of this nation until today, Ray explores the complexities of life as a soldier of color in the US.

Ep 4 Brothers in Arms from 2016-06-14T12:07:59

From the birth of this nation until today, this episode explores the complexities of life as a soldier of color in the US.

WRS Classic: Hunger from 2016-05-11T01:59:21

From food stamps to gov'ment cheese—what it meant, how it helped, how we felt about it then, and what we think about it now.

Ep 3 Hunger from 2016-05-11T01:59:21

This episode is about food stamps and gov'ment cheese, what it meant, how it helped, how we felt about it then, and what we think about it now.

WRS Classic: Complexion from 2016-04-21T01:29:42

A literal discussion of skin color—the range of visual nuances of appearances that we consider "Black", how those divisions came to be and their many implications. From the paper bag test and on...

Ep 2 Complexion from 2016-04-21T01:29:42

This episode is a literal discussion of skin color- the range of visual nuances of appearances that we consider "Black", how those divisions came to be and their many implications. From the pape...

WRS Classic: Life After Slavery from 2016-04-02T03:08:01

In this premiere episode, Ray details the hardships that Blacks experienced after slavery and explores the themes and patterns of struggle that continued through the generations and into his own...

Ep 1 Life After Slavery from 2016-04-02T03:08:01

In this premiere episode, Ray details the hardships that Blacks experienced after slavery and explores the themes and patterns of struggle that continued through the generations and into his own...

WRS Classic: Welcome to "What's Ray Saying?" from 2016-03-26T01:26:35

Want to know what this podcast is all about? Listen to Ray, the host, share a little of his vision and focus for the show as well as a little about himself.

Introduction Welcome to "What's Ray Saying?" from 2016-03-26T01:26:35

Want to know what this podcast is all about? Listen to Ray, the host, share a little of his vision and focus for the show as well as a little about himself.