If you like ‘The Read,’ check out ‘Okay, Now Listen’
Dax and Alesha are once again hot on the podcast discovery trail and they think that if you are a fan of the popular Loud Speakers Network podcast “The Read,” then you may also like Netflix’s/Strong Black Lead’s “Okay, Now Listen.”
This pop-culture podcast is hosted by Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell, and they pour their heart into every episode of “Okay, Now Listen.” Their episodes are split between their most recent binge-watch and commentary on relevant social issues. From the new Aretha Franklin biopic to how Clickbait mirrors today’s viral internet culture, Beam and Obell entertain and educate us every episode.
Beam has amassed quite a fanbase in the past decade. Known for her work as a model and a media personality on Hot 97 and State of the Culture, she also hosts “Black Girl Podcast.” Along with the hilarious entertainment reporter Obell, “Okay, Now Listen” is two Black women discussing what they’re dealing with at the moment with an emphasis on Black culture.
Their recent episode on 2001, 9/11, and grief fully encompasses their podcast’s objective. They talk about how, for the very first time, they had to confront grief as children with the untimely death of the singer Aaliyah. They reminisce on everything that Aaliyah was to R&B, pop, and hip hop, and essentially music in its entirety in the ’90s. Her music’s impact is still felt today; many artists on the radio credit her as one of their biggest influences.
They also dive into their own experiences, asking the question “where were you when Aaliyah passed?” Both were out of the country, in Belize and Kenya, and having to fly home from their family vacations shortly after her death. Obviously, just after that, came the attacks on the Twin Towers. Having to grapple with the confusion of losing someone so young, let alone someone you idolize, along with the eventual terror of 9/11, they have a raw and real conversation about confronting grief.
This is their heaviest episode by far, other episodes touch on their thoughts on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, their thoughts on Netflix’s new show Clickbait, careers in the media industry, and sometimes ending a game of “What The Plot of These White Movies?” Because the American Film Association’s list of the 100 greatest movies are not exactly diverse.
Anyway, if you are an avid listener of “The Read,” or intrigued by any of the above, be sure to check out “Okay, Now Listen.” Every topic, every conversation has a strong Black cultural frame of reference and a heavy dose of hilarity. Informative, intensely funny, and truly brilliant, this podcast is a breath of fresh air every other week.
If you are looking for a place to start, Dax and Alesha suggest, “Okay, Call 1-800-Hot-Girl,” “Okay, Meet Our Mamas,” and “Okay, Tuth Is We’re Tired.” Also, don’t miss their season 2 opening episode with Zendaya, “Okay We Ride At Dawn (with Zendaya.)”
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