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
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.
George is joined live in person at the DC Public Library by their close friend, producer and performer Twiggy Pucci Garcon. They talk about George's history of Black Queer icons from the Harlem Renaissance, Flamboyants, and then make their way for a special viewing at the National Portrait Gallery. You can watch George and Twiggy's full discussion on the DC Public Library's Youtube page.
Special thanks to Ellen Rolfes for...
George is joined by travel influencer and writer Imani Bashir to discuss the importance of meeting your global community and meeting yourself in the wider world. Along the way, they talk about modern day Green Books, how not to be a colonizer, why so few Black Americans have a passport — and why that needs to change, especially these days.
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George is joined by Preston Mitchum, a queer civil rights attorney and activist based in DC. Preston talks about his complex experience working at the Trevor Project, clashing with a local gay bar over its racism, and what it’s like to be the only queer cast member on a reality TV set.
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George kicks off Pride Month with fitness influencer Kevin Carnell to talk about putting in the work, maintaining your mental health while using social media, growing up playing sports to mask his queerness, and coming out to his family at an Outback Steakhouse.
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George is joined by Jason King, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, a musician, music historian and much, much more. Jason talks about how to live the summoned life, how to be a citizen of the world, the lost art of artist development and how artists like SZA and Beyoncé curates their influences and makes them new. For more Jason, check out his podcast eight-episode podcast documentary&nbs...
George is joined by artist, filmmaker and author Tourmaline to celebrate the release of her new book, "Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson", the first definitive biography of the revolutionary activist who played a central role during the the Stonewall Riots.
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George is joined by Ira Madison III, cultural writer, critic and co-host of the beloved podcast ‘Keep It’. Ira just published his first book, Pure Innocent Fun, a collection of essays about pop culture and how it has influenced his life. George and Ira talk about why pop culture is important, living in a standom era, why the real housewives of Salt Lake City is the best thing on TV right now, and the problem with confla...
George is joined by computational poet Lillian-Yvonne Bertram, who is the author of the books Travesty Generator and Negative Money. Bertram uses coding to create poems that address, among other things, anti-Black racism and police brutality. Lillian speaks with George about their fascinating process, what "computational poetry" actually means, and why AI is biased, through and through. This week's Queer Artist Spotlight is Weekend...
George is joined this week by writer and cartoonist Maia Kobabe, whose illustrated memoir Gender Queer was the most challenged book of 2021, 2022 and 2023. Maia talks about what it's like to have your labor of love attacked and misconstrued, other writers who inspired the book, and why e're so excited for the next generation of Queer storytellers to come of age.
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