Hey Talking Stories Crew! In this 2022 episode, I catch up with New Canadian Media (NCM) reporter and former journalism classmate, K(ae)itlyn. K(ea)itlyn and I chat about:

• Their reflections on the Canadian news landscape and their work with NCM
• K(ae)itlyn's storytelling journey and how Narnia fanfiction played a role
• Creating more spaces for BIPOC and non-binary journalism students
• Their research on police violence and the care involved
• The work that motivates them

NOTE FROM OUR GUEST: "I addressed Lyra Evans with "they/them" pronouns which is still misgendering. This is a habit I'm still deconstructing. I believe that transphobia stems from where all discrimination is founded upon -- anti-Black racism -- and the general use of "they/them" has been to introduce anti-racist, anti-transphobic rhetoric into my daily vocabulary. Regardless, Lyra Evans' pronouns are "she/her" and should be respected as such."

FURTHER READING:

• K(ae)itlyn's work for New Canadian Media
• K(ae)itlyn's recent piece, "New research challenges Toronto’s claims to success in diversity", referred to in the podcast

CONNECT:

• Follow K(ae)itlyn on Twitter at @MokundSmith
• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week!

DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod.

Happy 2023 Talking Stories Crew! In this episode I wrap up 2022 by talking about:

• Some personal life updates
• Recent headlines including the loss of Barbara Walters
• Tory Lanez found guilty of all three charges in Megan Thee Stallion shooting
• All the films and shows I caught up on over the holiday break
• The end of an era with Henry Cavill's Superman
• Hopes for the new year

SHOW NOTES Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser

Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod.

Hey Talking Stories Crew! We're back with our spoiler-filled discussion of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with my good friend, Vivan Ntiri. Vivian is a runner, baker, lawyer and fellow nerd.

In this episode we chat:

• Introduction to the Talokans 
• The Wakandan vs Talokan approach to outsiders trying to take vibranium resources 
• The death of the Queen 
• Shuri's coming-of-age journey and taking on the Black Panther mantle 
• Favourite performances 
• The next phase of Marvel films

FURTHER READINGS & SHOW NOTES: 

• 'Wakanda Forever' Shows That Black People Can’t Win In The MCU by Brooke Obie

• The Mesoamerican Influences Behind Namor From ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ by Nili Blanck 

• ‘They erase everything’: For this ‘Black Panther 2’ star, representation is resistance by Tracy Brown

• Follow Vivian Ntiri on Twitter and Instagram: @MaameVi
• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

Watch Talking Stories episodes on YouTube.

Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week! 

Hey Talking Stories Crew! We're getting FED today.

Today we're joined by my good friend Vivan Ntiri. Vivian is many things including a runner, baker, lawyer and fellow nerd.

In this episode we chat:
- Vivian's personal journey from med school aspirations to becoming a lawyer
- The inspiring and ongoing stories of Michelle Obama and Issa Rae
- Elon Musk and what the Twitter acquisition teaches about what not to do as a leader
- Part 1 of our Black Panther Wakanda forever chat, talking about that intro and grief

Stay tuned for Part 2! 

Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week! 

Watch Talking Stories episodes on YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

• Follow Vivian Ntiri on Twitter and Instagram: @MaameVi
• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

Happy November Talking Stories Crew! 

In the headlines we talk about:

• Drama continues with the Twitter acquisition
• Briefly chat about Drake's disparaging line regarding Megan in his new album

In fandom news we catch up on:

• Expectations for Black Panter 2: Wakanda forever 

In inspirational stories we finish our chat about:

• Jennifer Hudson's Aretha Franklin in Respect

Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week! 

Watch Talking Stories episodes on YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

Happy almost November Talking Stories Crew! This week, we check in and chat about the imprtance of legacy and being present.

In the headlines we talk about:

• Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter
• Kanye West fallout continues
• Prince Harry's new book Spare

In fandom news we catch up on:

• the House of the Dragon season finale
• Doctor Who and David Tennant
• shakeups in the DCEU and Henry Cavill departing Geralt

In inspirational stories we start talking about:

• Jennifer Hudson's Aretha Franklin in Respect
• and new limited series on Netflix, From Scratch

Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week! 

Watch Talking Stories episodes on YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod. Non-personal photos and gifs are not the property of Talking Stories with Raquel Russell.

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show that highlights how stories impact lives and inspire change.

Hey Talking Stories crew! We're chatting taking up space, headlines including the resignation of UK PM Liz Truss, BLAXPO back in Toronto, and in fandom news, discussing the House of Dragons leak, Taylor Hale, the first Black woman to win a regular season of Big Brother, and finally highlighting books we couldn't put down. Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week! 

Discussion round up:

• Personal life updates
• Previously unavailable episodes being synced
• The importance of treasuring moments and taking up space
• In the news: Liz Truss, Kanye West, One of the last children of enslaved African Americans passes, BLAXPO is back
• Fandom Chats: House of the Dragon leak, First Black Woman to win the regular season of Big Brother, Love is Blind
• Books We Couldn't Put Down 

Watch Talking Stories episodes on YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod. Non-personal photos and gifs are not the property of Talking Stories with Raquel Russell.

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show that highlights how stories impact lives and inspire change.

Welcome back to season 3, Talking Stories crew! Join me as I chat about the new show format, Keke Palmer's digital platform KeyTV, my thoughts on Rings of Power, Fanfiction turned into movies and why it's meaningful and a reading list highlight. Join the conversation and send me your thoughts and suggestions to our Talking Stories channels on IG and Twitter or send them directly to my personal channels at @raqlionchaser. See you next week! 

What we discuss:

• Gratitude and upcoming episodes
• Rings of Power
• Fanfiction, Reylo and Arrow
• Books to Read 

Watch Talking Stories episodes on YouTube.

SHOW NOTES

• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR and Instagram at @talkingstorieswraq

DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod.

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change.