Beyoncé. Love Island USA. Reality TV. What do they have in common? They reveal how we see ourselves—and each other.
In this episode, journalist Leslie Rangel sits down with writer and cultural critic Taylor Crumpton (The Barbed Wire, TIME, The Washington Post, NPR, Harper’s Bazaar) to explore:
- The spiritual and political legacy of Beyoncé
- Racial and gender biases in reality TV (including Love Island’s Season 7 drama)
- How chosen family, community, and ancestral practices help us navigate visibility and loneliness
If you’ve ever loved a reality show, questioned celebrity culture, or wanted a deeper take on pop culture’s impact, this is your episode.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why chosen family is vital for joy, advocacy, and emotional survival.
- How social work shaped Taylor’s perspective as a journalist and critic.
- The spiritual and political dimensions of Beyoncé’s career.
- The racial and gender biases embedded in reality TV, from Love Island to broader celebrity culture.
- How loneliness, escapism, and the political climate shape what we watch.
- The importance of community, grounding rituals, and authentic connection in a world obsessed with clout and visibility.
About the guest:
Taylor Crumpton is a music, pop culture, and politics writer from Dallas. In her work—which can be found in outlets like The Barbed Wire, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, The Guardian, NPR, and many other platforms—Crumpton writes about a range of topics from Black Queer advocacy to the underrepresented hip-hop scenes in the southern United States to pop analysis on releases like “WAP” and “Black Is King”
Relevant Links:
- https://thebarbedwire.com/2025/08/25/nicolandria-love-island-balm-black-women-in-the-south/
- https://time.com/7301911/love-island-usa-toxic-fandom/
- https://time.com/7000248/love-island-usa-black-love-essay/
- https://www.essence.com/reality-television/southern-charm-black-women-backlash/
- https://www.essence.com/entertainment/opinion-bravo-celebrates-black-culture-work-to-do/
- https://www.essence.com/entertainment/how-venita-aspen-changed-southern-charm/
Connect with Leslie:
https://www.instagram.com/thenewsyogi/
https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewsYogi
Submit your questions for the podcast Q&A episodes:
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