For your listening pleasure, I give you The Big Chair Podcast. The show is named for the famed DC Landmark located in the Anacostia neighborhood, standing 19 1/2 feet tall; it was once the largest chair in the world. On the podcast we discuss a little bit of everything, just press 'Play'!
Episode 1 - Team Frankie Beverly
On this inaugural episode of The Big Chair, we tackle news that legislation could possibly make gogo the official music of DC. In light of Beyonce’s take on a classic, Before I Let Go, we debate if we’re Team Frankie Beverly or Team Beyonce. Stepping into the bright lights of Hollywood, we dive into colorism and representation of certain groups on screen. Are these real steps in the right direction or an attempt to put a Band-aid over a much bigger issue? A woman’s expensive attempts to get Tyler Perry’s attention, a 14 year old college student, and the trauma associated with racially charged movies round out this week’s topics. And NO episode is complete with shining a light on excellence happening in the Black community in our Round of Applause segment!
Episode 2 - Mind the Business that Pays You
This week Rachel, dCoze, and Kourt take a moment to pay respect to service men who recently lost their lives in duty. In Homemade Tea, we discuss the chaotic end to the Capital Pride parade and what public safety should entail. Find out what made Kourt quote DMX, “mind your business lady!” In Rachel’s Rundown, everyone’s taste for sweets was turned sour at the news of many chocolate manufacturers engaging in slave labor. A series of stories makes us wonder--Who is being held accountable for the actions and upbringing of children these days? Are we under preparing and over celebrating youth? Sat down and listen as we address these questions and much more!
Episode 3 - Usher in your own Summer
Oh to be a fanny pack around Taraji P. Henson’s waist! This week we tackle the presence of gogo music at the BET Awards and its influence of some of your favorite songs (and you may not have even known it was there). Then things get relationship heavy as we cover caring for children born out of infidelity, black men don’t cheat, and dating for dinner. Pull up a chair and take a listen!
Episode 4 - Savage Season
This week we reminisce on summers gone by and share our favorite memories. Rachel gives everyone a lesson in Polygamy 101 and we learn a LOT about all the different tiers and definitions. You may want to grab a notebook for this one. Finally, dCoze claims that women over 30 are straight SAVAGES in relationships, launching us into a classic women v. men debate. Do women cut men off too quickly OR is it all about the non-negotiables? Tune into the episode and then weigh in!
Episode 5 - With a Tear in Mine Eye
On this installment of The Big Chair, Kourt, dCoze, and Rachel introduce a new segment that centers on the subject of hash browns. While on the subject of brown potatoes. Chris Brown and his views on colorism are discussed and the crew go deeper into their non-negotiables in relationships.
Episode 6 - Let's Get Ready to Rumble
Rachel, Kourt, and dCoze return with their Woke or Wack segment with a new topic for discussion and describe ways they pay it forward. Kourt invites us to her Essence Festival experience and things get awkward when we take on hip-hop hitmaker Jermaine Dupri and his thoughts on the current lineup of female rappers. Take a seat, things are getting goood!!
Episode 7 - Do you Know the Lyrics?!
This week the crew discuss song lyrics we did not know the words to and our explanations/justifications for why we thought it would fly LOL. Kourt shares stats on what sparks Summer madness and the correlation between the weather and violent crimes during Summer months. DCoze discusses faith and the inspiration for his new book and Rachel stirs the pot from last episode reintroducing the heated discussion on sexism in the female rap game. There's a new dating app that encourages interracial dating and incorporates social media usage into its algorithm for making matches and the crew shares their thoughts on dating disasters.
Episode 8 - I Can Be Anything
The crew release some of their grievances over poor customer service in call centers, the workplace, and fake friends...Namaste. Kourt questions Kim Khardasian West's intent behind her actions with criminal justice reform and her branching into the legal field and a staycationer that provided a rather "Karen-like" review of the Musuem of African American History and Culture (insert side eye). On the Rundown, Rachel discusses the new Harriet Tubman movie and the controversial decision to select a non-African American to portray the titular character, Beyonce's "Brown Skin Girls" and introduces a new segment.
Episode 9 - We're Talking About White Shame
The summer days are hot but this episode? Even hotter! We kick things by recapping Rachel’s birthday celebration. It included drunken gummy bears and museums. Quite a combo, huh? We revisit Cynthia Erivo’s casting in the Harriet Tubman given her past racist comments and the perception that she may look down on African Americans. You be the judge though. A new segment, That’s Ya’ll President, is introduced and we take on more disappointing actions from the Commander in Chief. Cancel culture and its consequences along with an in-depth assessment of how we define cheating fill out the end of this spicy episode.
Episode 10 - You Know Where You're Going, Fool
In an attempt to understand the young people of today, we reflected on the first time we truly felt like an adult. The legal system gets something right when they award money to a college student who was the target of serious racist acts on her campus. Cultural insensitivity is the name of the game as we tackle a school’s hair policy (that is skewed largely toward Black students) and fans criticize Chris Rock for a joke about White people as mass shooters). Finally, we return to the cheating conversation and decide that we don’t want to be the side piece in our own relationships! All that and more on--The Big Chair.
Episode 11 - The Only Thing That Means Yes, Is Yes!
Pre-season is a wrap and the Big Chair team is back with new episodes! We start by discussing what we got into during the pre-season. There’s a (legal) fight club outside of DC and we’re just a little confused by that. Next up: the necessity for Black children to be in spaces that embrace them and for athletes to get paid what they’ve earned. Is Kanye to be trusted with our faith in light of his Sunday Service? We hear a story of stalking gone terribly wrong so Rachel and Kourt share their stories of unwanted attention. dCoze announces our inaugural Fantasy Cuff League!
Episode 12 - Jam!
We kick off this week’s episode with a critical question: Which cartoon product mascot do you think you could whip in a fight? Clearly, serious stuff. Mannie Fresh says Back That Azz Up is one of the greatest love songs and Kourt makes a case to support this claim. In DC, the implementation of medical marijuana practices and Open Streets has residents frustrated. In the Rundown, the trial for the murder of Botham Jean reaches an interesting end when Amber Guyger receives lots of sympathy during her sentencing and the key witness is murdered. Eddie Murphy has several new projects in the works but is he ready to be a comedian during this time of “cancel culture”? We discuss whether one can find true love and be ready to marry within 90 days thanks to the popular series, 90 Day Fiancé. A who’s who of Black culture showed up to the opening of Tyler Perry’s new studio and we’re all reminded of the power behind making your OWN table. Finally, we give a Round of Applause to the life and legacy of Ms. Diahann Carroll.
Episode 14 - Rhythmless Ryan & the Haunted Big Chair
It’s The Big Chair spook-tacular! On this ghoulish episode, the team discusses their Halloween plans, fun memories from Halloween’s past, best costumes, and their “Halloween Have To’s.” Is it ever okay to date a friend or family member’s ex? In controversial news, the ABC song was revised and we here at The Big Chair are OUTRAGED! Not to mention sad for today’s children. Popeyes is bringing back their greatly hyped chicken “sammich” which leads to a Popeyes v. Chik-fil-A debate. A crazy story about a McDonald’s employee attacking a customer with a blender sparks a very interesting discussion: What is your weapon of choice if you gotta knock somebody out in the McDonald’s?! Lots of goodies in this episode so take a listen! Muaahahahaa!
Episode 16 - Chicken Sammich Pandemonium
The gang's back together now that dCoze is off punishment! In this installment of The Big Chair, we reflect on songs that we listened to as children that were wildly inappropriate. Hometown love going out to the Washington Nationals for winning the World Series. In Rachel’s Rundown, we consider whether or not the Joker film is a symbol for the downtrodden and could it indicate an uprising of conflicts between the wealthy and...everyone else. Tragic news out of Atlanta, Georgia as we learn about the death of Clark Atlanta University student Alexis Crawford at the hands of her roommate and the roommate’s boyfriend. It requires us to consider the nuances associated with personal safety. T.I. and his hymen patrol earn a HUGE side eye. Finally, we are disgusted that acts of violence are taking place over a chicken sandwich! Don’t miss a minute of this goodness!
Episode 17 - Going Too Far & Thanksgiving Delights
Happy Thanksgiving Eve, family! We know you’re all getting ready to grub so here’s a juicy little episode to enjoy as you prepare for tomorrow’s main attraction. We kick off this episode talking about our holiday plans and debate being Team Turkey, Team Ham….or the secret pick--Team Bi-Meatual. The "Holiday Have To's" segment returns with the Thanksgiving Edition. In Homemade Tea, we show support to Maryland for fighting for HBCUs to receive fair funding. Rachel leads a discussion around Colin Kaepernick and Mo’Nique taking a stance in their careers. A Maryland teacher catches heat for engaging in a physical altercation with a student and we cover the lack of protection teachers often have in their schools. Finally, we consider whether or not it’s possible to be friends with an ex. Can children impact the post break up healing? Get you a slice of sweet potato pie and tune in!
Episode 18 - Liking People Is Tough
The holiday season is in full effect and we’re back with another great episode of The Big Chair! In Homemade Tea Kourt shares information about the Go-Go Awareness Week and the team comes up with possible categories for the Go-Go Music Awards. In the Rundown, Rachel tells the crew about an executive who want Julia Roberts to play Harriet Tubman because, “nobody could tell the difference.” Naturally the team calls shenanigans on the entire story. A young Black girl is banned from taking school pictures due to her brightly colored hair. Come to find out, other students violated the “policy” and still took pictures. Hmph. dCoze gives his “I don’t want to argue stance.” Are you Team “You got it” or Team “Catch this heat” ? Grammy nominations and the debate around Lizzo being placed in the R&B category wrap up this episode.
Episode 19 - Gangstas and Games
We kicked off this episode professing our love for one of our favorite things--90s R&B music. Specifically, favorite male groups and songs we THOUGHT were romantic but realized were totally the opposite. In Homemade Tea, we discuss a story about selective high schools looking to minimize admissions standards in an attempt to increase diversity. In Rachel’s Rundown, we introduced a new theme--That’s That BS. Gabrielle Union’s firing from America’s Got Talent, thousands of Americans being forced to go without food stamps due to changes enacted by the Trump administration, and a secret dinner party with a WILD refund policy round out this edition. The possibility of a Moesha reboot gets a NO-to the-E to the...NO-ESHA from us. Hasbro, best known for creating most of your favorite childhood toys/games, has purchased Death Row. Does this mean family friendly...gangster games? We ponder the possibilities in a wildly inappropriate, yet hilarious AF, game--Gangstas and Games. Finally, we ponder when and how do you transition from non-titled to having a title in a relationship. Tune in!
Episode 20 - You Can't Hostess If You Got Roaches
In this episode, the team reflects on their favorite technological gadgets from the past and present. In Rachel’s Rundown, the theme is: “I Can’t Believe We’re Still Talking About This.” George Zimmerman is suing Trayvon Martin’s family and we can’t BELIEVE he’s even still a factor! A Virginia creek was actually, as recently as 2019, named Negro Run. Wow. The casting call for Queen & Slim requested an actress who, if she were a slave, would have worked in the field. What?! That leads into dialogue around racism and sexism that exists in Hollywood practices. dCoze grosses EVERYONE out with a story about a party with some...less than ideal guests. It’s The Big Chair podcast--sat down and learn something!
Episode 21 - The Holiday Spectacular feat. The Big Chair Choir
Happy Holidays, everybody! In this special Holiday Edition of The Big Chair we cover all of our seasonal favorites. We start with favorite Christmas songs and well...you’re welcome for the mini concert that ensues. The return of “Holiday Have To’s” has us giving our musts for Christmas. Binge watching Christmas movies and cooking breakfast with family top the list. Finally, we give our top thoughts for leaving behind 2019 and walking boldly into 2020. Thanks for a great year, listeners! We’ll be back with new episodes in 2020!
