Fighting Words with George M. Johnson
George M. Johnson knows how to counterpunch the culture wars. ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE, their memoir of growing up Black and Queer in America, is currently the second-most banned book in America. And that distinction has pushed George to the frontlines of the fight for freedom of expression. “Fighting Words” is George’s chance to bring listeners into the ring with some of today’s most talented, outspoken and courageous creative people, people ready, willing and able to use their words to fight back against intolerance, fear, censorship and marginalization. Each week George talks to someone about their work making culture that takes on the topics some people seem afraid to talk about. It’s a conversation that goes deep but stays light – fleet, fast and fearless. And each episode gives George a chance to shine a light on new music, timeless wisdom and some of today’s rising stars.
Episodes
George is joined by Leah Johnson, award-winning YA author and owner of Loudmouth Books, an independent bookstore in Indianapolis uplifting banned books and marginalized authors. Leah tells George about publishing her first novel in the midst of the George Floyd protests and why she thinks bookstores are more important than ever. The two of them also talk about working together on their new book, There's Always Next Year.
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Today, we bring back George's conversation with the legendary author Sapphire. Her 1996 novel Push was adapted into the 2009 movie Precious, which won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Sapphire talks about what it's like to have her book banned, the authors who inspired her, and how art can heal trauma.
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Sean Coleman joins George on the podcast to talk about how ballroom and incarceration shaped his life, why he wanted to change the non-profit sector and start Destination Tomorrow, and opening the first city-funded shelter for transgender homeless people.
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George is joined by Bishop Joseph William Tolton, who discusses the history of white Christian Nationalism in America, how this anti-democratic and anti-Black movement has spread around the world, and how to fight against it.
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George is joined by storyteller and community organizer Charlene A. Carruthers. Charlene talks about how growing up in Chicago shaped her organizing, about occupying the Chicago police headquarters in 2020, doing her work through a Black queer feminist lens, and why telling stories is central to being an activist.
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George is joined by actor Greg Mathis Jr., who shares what it was like to work in DC for 10 years, trying to pass the Affordable Care Act, before switching careers to entertainment. Greg tells George about his latest role in the movie "Fighting to Be Me," which tells the story of transgender gang leader Dwen Curry.
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George is joined by Dana A. Williams, Dean of the Graduate School at Howard University and author of a new book "Toni at Random," about Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's overlooked career as the first Black woman editor at Penguin Random House. Dana tells George about Toni's vision for editing and publishing Black authors, and how African-American literature helps make sense of the American experience as a whole.
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George is joined by the hosts of the HIGHKEY podcast, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Yvie Oddly and culture critic Ryan Mitchell. Together, they discuss reactions to the Charlie Kirk shooting, the difference between empathy and apathy, the NFL's LGBTQ+ 'branding', why local politics matters, and whether we should bring back cursive writing?!
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George is joined by Emmy-nominated director, writer and producer Nathan Hale Williams. Nathan tells George about growing up in Chicago, becoming a producer and director, what he thinks the role of the artist is today and how his upcoming film will talk about HIV in a totally new way. And him and George reflect on the experience of working together on the dramatic reading of All Boys Aren't Blue.
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Today, we return to one of our favorite conversations, with iconic comedian, drag queen and author, Bob the Drag Queen.
Bob tells George to discuss his new novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, losing his mother right before filming the Emmy award-winning reality show Traitors, and why we need more class solidarity. This episode's Queer Artist Spotlight is on "Queen of the Underground", one of Bob's ...
George is joined by Shahem Mclaurin, licensed therapist and social worker, with over 800K followers online. Shahem tells George about his story: how he never wanted to become a therapist until he learned how broken our mental care system is, and what white supremacy does to our mental health.
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George is joined by writer and editor Mikelle Street. Mikelle tells George about LGBTQ+ subcultures he's been reporting on for years, such as the fetish and leather communities, and how black men navigate these spaces. Mikelle also shares his experience working with iconic fashion stylist, Law Roach, who styles stars like Zendaya and Ariana Grande.
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George is joined by scholar and ballroom leader, Michael Roberson. Michael talks about the history of ballroom, its global influence on contemporary culture, and why its a tool of resistance and liberation.
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George is joined by award-winning filmmaker Stephen Winter. Stephen talks to George about the soul-expanding journey that classic Black cinema can take you on; his own struggle to break through as a young Black and Queer director in the 1990s; and why going to the theater with your friends can still be a transformative experience, even in our digital age.
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George is joined by journalist Elias Jahshan, editor of the anthology "This Arab is Queer." Elias was born in Australia to a Palestinian father and a Lebanese mother. He tells George about breaking stereotypes, explains the meaning of 'pinkwashing' and how LGBTQ+ rights discourse is being weaponized, especially in the context of the Israeli occupation in Palestine. Together they discuss the power of words when it comes to Gaza, as ...
George is joined by life coach and content creator Obio Jones. Obio talks to George about how to set boundaries with family, the pressure of visibility, and together they get into the financial and logistical reality of being a Black Queer content creator today.
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George is joined by the fearless activist and author Hope Giselle. Hope was the first openly trans woman to graduate from Alabama State University. Hope talks to George about the current attacks on trans rights, speaking at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, and making a documentary about her own life, "Not Your Average Girl."
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George is joined by Karen "Dr K" Baptiste, director of the documentary "Preschool to Prison." She explains why our education system is failing students of color, and how our teachers are taught to perpetuate an unjust system that arrests students instead of helping them.
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George is joined by Emil Wilbekin, one of the founders and former editor-in-chief of the iconic VIBE magazine. Emil tells George about the storied, late night founding of the magazine, and some of his favorite cover photoshoots from his era at the magazine, like B.I.G and Faith in a convertible and Destiny's Child as the Supremes. Emil also talks to George about how he built Native Son, his organization for Black Queer men.
George sits down with actor Darryl Stephens and writer/director Patrik-Ian Polk of Noah’s Arc, the groundbreaking TV show that came out 20 years ago, centering Black Queer characters on screen. Now, they're back with a brand-new Noah’s Arc movie on Paramount+. Darryl and Patrik-Ian talk to George about the original show, and what it felt like returning to that world in the current political climate.
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