Back Issue

Hey Back Issue listeners! Here’s a preview of a new podcast called The Wonder of Stevie, produced by our very own Josh Gwynn. You might think you know Stevie Wonder. You might think you know his music. But you’ve never heard it like this. Host Wesley Morris is taking you on a deep-dive through Stevie's Classic Period: five legendary albums back-to-back in less than five years. Hear about the record deal that started it all, the technology Stevie adopted to create never-before-heard sounds, and his influence on our culture. There will be appearances from legends like Barack and Michelle Obama, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Babyface, Janelle Monae and more. In this episode, Wesley details how, years after signing his first recording deal with Motown Records, Stevie decides to renegotiate his contract. One of the things on the table? Complete creative control. What follows is the beginning of one of the greatest streak of albums in American popular music: Music of My Mind. The Wonder of Stevie is out now, wherever you listen to podcasts! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our season finale, Josh partners with coaches to put together a song to pump himself up when the world seems like too much. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Multi-hyphenates raise your hands? Now put them down because we know you can't be talented in everything you think you are. In this episode, Josh and special guest Ashley C. Ford are talking about their favorite multi-hyphenates, what makes them great, whether or not they're underrated, and what it means to be good at everything, or maybe not. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode, @RegardingJosh examines our cultural understanding of home, talks to a citizen of the WORLD to see where he should be looking for home and looks at current landscape of the housing market to see how possible it is to even find a "home." Thank you to our incredible guests -- @mayasymonecade, creator and curator of @TheBlackFilmArchive and @libraryofconress scholar in residence; and @marquita_harris_, journalist and world traveler -- for sharing their stories and perspectives with us this week! This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a very special episode of Back Issue, our beloved host Josh Gwynn comes down with a mysterious illness. He cannot stop breaking out into song! Alongside guest host and Real Doctor, Matt Bellassai, Josh takes a journey through the world of musical theater. When did it become so central to the zeitgeist? Why do we inevitably cry at the song before intermission? Can Lea Michele read? And along the way, with the help of special guests, Josh will try to diagnose his ailment. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you have pop culture feelings you keep to yourself 'cause the world isn't ready for them? So do guests Hunter Harris, BA Parker, and Sam Sanders! On today's episode, they're bravely serving up their spiciest opinions in front of Judge Josh and making a case for their hottest takes in Josh's Court. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is gossiping sooo fun? And how has the world of celebrity gossip changed over the years? To answer these questions and learn the A to Zs of celebrities (from Ava Max to Zendaya), Josh and guest host Rachelle Hampton take a field trip inside the human brain, go back in time with a PhD gossip expert, Andrea McDonnell, and chat with Who? Weekly's Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you remember the teen show that made you fall in love with teen shows? For Josh and special guest-host Amil Niazi, that show was Canadian soap, "Degrassi: The Next Generation." And let’s just say, this episode GOES THERE. Why’d they do JT like that? Where is the Grammy for Paige Michalchuk and the Sex Kittens? How did playing Jimmy launch Drake to superstardom? Whatever it takes, Josh and Amil are getting to the bottom of all these questions and more. PLUS: Stay tuned for insights from Andrea Lewis, who starred as Hazel Aden. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who amongst us hasn’t pretended our bottle of shampoo was an Oscar and thanked the Academy? Today on Back Issue, we talk through the most memorable acceptance speeches, from Sally Field’s often misquoted “You really like me!” speech to Halle Berry’s historic win to Sheryl Lee Ralph’s musical twist. With help from Aisha Harris and Wesley Morris, Josh unpacks the impact of acceptance speeches and what makes the great ones so great. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're Cheetah Girls, Cheetah Sisters and don't you EVER forget it! This week Josh and special guest-host Jazmine Hughes take a trip down a cheetah-spotted memory lane into the Cheetah Girls franchise. Most know the cheetah-licious girl group from their Disney Channel movies, but did you know this all stemmed from a children's book series? Or that two of the members were from the girl group 3LW? Today we explore the groups' undeniable bops, how they arrived at their height and what started to shift. From how Raven Symone navigated her conditional role as leader, to a message from the creator of it all, writer Deborah Gregory, we're talking all things cheetah-licious. This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first episode of Season 3, Josh and Tracy are talking about hair HAIR, but this isn't just any old hair talk. No discoveries on how to get a magical texture by slapping on ointments and berry juices. Today we're discussing the timeline textures, getting into the stigmas around certain styles, and talking about the gendered and queered politics of hair with special guest Carvell Wallace. What is our hair really telling us about ourselves? And more importantly, how will Josh feel after his first silk press? This episode is brought to you by our partner, Dove hair. Go to https://www.walmart.com/search?q=dove%20crown%20collection&typeahead=dove%20crown&cat_id=1085666 for more information and products. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Back Issue is BACK, y’all! 🥳 We’re in our SZN 3 era, and once again, we’re taking you back to some of your favorite, formative pop culture moments. This time, we’re paying homage to sacred texts that taught us how to live, such as 'The Cheetah Girls' and 'Degrassi'. We’re having conversations that need to be had about Hair, Gossip, and Award Show Speeches. And Josh slips on a robe to take on a deserved role as Chief Justice of Pop Culture Opinions! ⚖️ Throughout it all, we’ll of course follow Tyra “Be a Star” Banks’ invaluable wisdom and make sure we 🗣“LEARN SOMETHING FROM THIS!” While we're yelling like Tyra: 🗣 DON'T MISS OUT on our season premiere, which drops February 21st, wherever you get your podcasts! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We did it, Joe! We made it to the end of year and not going to lie, 2021 had us in the first half…and maybe the second half, too. But, ’tis the season to reflect on all its ups and downs, and we’re coming at you with a once-in-a-2021 worldwide event—a special Back Issue bonus episode. Tracy and Josh look back at 2021 with their latest game “Was that This Year?,” and really put their pop culture knowledge and concepts of time to the test. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we're popping back into your feeds to share an extra special episode from one of our favorite pop culture rewind podcasts: ''Okay Now Listen,' hosted by Scottie Beam and Sylvia Obell! On this episode, Scottie and Sylvia share the excitement of their new series 'Get You A Me," their brand new series on Netflix's 'Still Watching Netflix' YouTube channel. Then, they dive into all the baby mama drama in the air starting with the latest episode of ‘Insecure’ and ending with Summer Walker’s new album ‘Still Over It.’ After that, Scottie and Sylvia fan out over the greatness that is 'The Harder They Fall,' Netflix's new all-black Western film. Tune in for the thirst, the fashion, the violence, and some of their favorite scenes including the badass women-led fight scenes. Finally, they rate some of their favorite fighting scenes of all time where fierce women get to battle it out. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our final episode of Season Two, we had to “end” it just right, by doing what we do best— looking back at it (aye!) — so we’re backing thangs up with a conversation on booty. That’s right: Tracy and Josh are investigating the history and trends around round, plump posteriors, butts, dumps and humps. They invite writer and podcaster Nichole Perkins to help define terminology around Black women and girls’ bodies and sexual agency. We learn from author, professor and speaker Savala Nolan, who teaches us about the body as a site for learning. Finally, we witness wisdom in action, as we hear from Civil Rights activist, educator, poet and writer Nikki Giovanni, who shares her own body journey and some affirmations that we could all live by. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Racers, start your engines ‘cause this week’s maxi challenge is gonna leave you gagging (don’t worry; that’s a good thing). Josh and Tracy tackle the good, the bad, and the ooooh girl of RuPaul’s Drag Race, from favorite moments like Valentina’s prophetic mask and Trinity K. Bonet’s un-bey-lievable comeback, to concerning trends like how access to money and designers have become more important than talent on the show. And, because an episode about drag artists demands a sprinkle of EXTRA, Josh and Tracy are also debuting their own drag personas, Chaka Tom and Uncle Tracy. 💅💄💋 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re taking a moment to breathe, shoop shoop, and exhale. Tracy and Josh explore mental health with our favorite therapist, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast! With Dr. Joy’s guidance, our hosts tackle huge questions like: How do we take care of ourselves when it feels like The End Times™️? How do we bounce back from burnout? And how do we stop thinking of rest as something we need to earn? Grab your fluffiest pillow, ‘cause we’re all about to go lay down. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s game night, so get your "Draw 4" cards ready 'cause it's about to go down! Josh and Tracy invite the very special and highly competitive hosts of the For Colored Nerds podcast, Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings, to share their favorite game night memories, some game night horror stories, and play an original game Tracy invented called Aight Bet! Will they still be friends afterward? Gotta listen to find out! Then, Josh and Tracy talk to someone who makes games for a living, Teddy Philips, creator and developer of the mobile apps For the Culture and For La Cultura, who explains why game night is so vital to American Black culture, and why there’s a need for more games for us by us. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Fifty-Eleventh Back Issue Video Music Awards! Join Josh and Tracy as they honor their favorite music videos of the ‘90s and 2000s in categories you might expect (Most Iconic Look in a Music Video) and some you absolutely won’t (Best Use of Water in a Music Video & Best Music Video Sponsored by Old Navy). Spoiler alert: our Blifetime (nope, that’s not a typo) Award goes to THEE Director X, who’s worked with pretty much everybody, including Usher, Aaliyah, DMX, and Drake. He helps answer the questions: what makes a great music video and what does the future hold for the medium? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reality TV dating shows are a subgenre of “reality” that seem to get weirder by the year. Josh and Tracy have watched their fair share of trash reality TV but could never get into nor get the appeal of the most popular reality dating hell show franchise of all: The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Why do shows like this exist and what keeps people coming back for 25 seasons straight? We’ll hear from Ali Barthwell, a writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Vulture Magazine’s Bachelor recap columnist, as she breaks it all down for us, and maybe convinces our hosts to join the Bachelor Nation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices