Welcome back to Season 3 of the My American Meltingpot Podcast! Do you like our colorful new logo?

Episode 17 is a little bit different and a whole lot of fun. I recorded this episode in front of a live audience at the Respect Women's Podcast Festival in Philadelphia on August 25, 2019. The festival was held at Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse – the only comic book shop owned by a Black woman on the East Coast – and was a celebration of female podcasters. It was all the way amazing.

Here's what you'll hear on the episode:

Since we were in a (very cool) comic book shop, and because I knew this would be the first episode of Season 3, I decided to share the My American Meltingpot origin story. I broke down the who, what and whys of our title, and what I hope people walk away with after listening to the show. (If I'm wrong, and you're not getting that at all, please leave me a message and tell me what YOU think this show is really about or what you'd like to see more of.) I also explained why I added the tagline – Stories at the Intersection of Race and Real Life to our podcast title.

At the end of the episode, there is some audience participation. We played the game, "Stump the Diversity Diva." I challenged the audience to name any aspect of real life and I would then explain how that aspect could be connected to race. Spoiler alert: Nobody could best me!

And just because we were live, doesn't mean we didn't take a break for a Meltingpot Minute. The Meltingpot Minute for episode 17 is all about the lack of respect in the New York Times' #1619 project. Note: It's not what you think.

Admittedly, with all the fun and games being had in this episode, I thought it might be important to reveal my sources mentioned in our riveting game of Stump the Diversity Diva. Visit MyAmericanMeltingpot.com to see how I fact checked myself. 

Also, I just announced the fall book pick for the MAMP Book Club. Check the blog for details.