Fighting Words with George M. Johnson
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, outspo…Social links:
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"Divest from Conditional Belonging" (w/ Mariah Moore)
George is joined by Mariah Moore from the Transgender Law Center. She tells George about becoming an activist after the murder of her trans sisters in New Orleans, how to fight for trans rights today and the lessons she learned when running for office.
38:41
Holiday Re-Run: "There's Always Next Year" My New Book (w/ Leah Johnson)
Today, we're revisiting George's conversation with Leah Johnson, co-author of their new book "There's Always Next Year", a holiday romcom about second chances, new beginnings and the power of community.
29:56
"Greatest Hits" Part 1
Today, George looks back on one year of Fighting Words and puts together moments from some of their favorite conversations, with Darnell Moore, Sapphire, Emil Wilbekin, Erika Alexander and Dana A. Williams.
24:25
ICYMI: "Music is the Weapon of the Future" (w/ Jason King)
We bring back George's conversation with 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 …
49:18
“Queer Superpower” (w/ Ian L. Haddock)
George is joined by Ian L. Haddock, the founder and executive director of the Normal Anomaly Initiative, a nonprofit that provides direct services to the LGBTQ+ community in Houston. Ian tells George about getting kicked out of his house as a teenager; finding a new home with the LGBTQ+ community i…
30:20
ICYMI: "Just Getting Started" (w/ Angelica Ross)
Today, we revisit one of our first conversations on the show, with the iconic Angelica Ross, actress, musician, businesswoman and activist known for her iconic roles on Pose and American Horror Story. Angelica talks about holding her head high and keeping her integrity in Hollywood, or as Angelica …
37:03
"Creating Music That Feels Good" (w/ Julian King)
George is joined by Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Julian King. Julian tells George about his approach to making music, how living in China transformed him and opening for Mary J Blige.
35:02
"There is Always Pop Culture" (w/ Shar Jossell)
George is joined by award-winning journalist Shar Jossell. Shar talks about how Oprah and Wendy Williams influenced her career, about approaching pop culture with a critical lens and how to make sense of the current media environment.
33:19
"Is Writing Activism?" (w/ Leah Johnson)
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 bookstore…
29:56
ICYMI: "Choosing to Remember" (w/ Sapphire)
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 inspire…
35:29