Everything's Political

About Everything's Political

Everything’s Political with Junius Williams examines the politics we don't see that shape our lives. Through conversations about social justice issues, Junius and his guests help the listener connect the dots to reveal the true American experience, as it plays out in the community, or in our living room. Junius Williams is a civil rights organizer, lawyer, community leader, musician, and author of the book Unfinished Agenda: Urban Politics in the Era of Black Power. Join us for a conversation about the hidden side of politics.

Publisher

Junius Williams

Category

education · government · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Oct 2020

Latest episode

30 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

42 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Apr 2026

   Episode 6: Power, Genre, and Reclamation: Beyoncé's Country Revolution

   What does it mean to claim a genre — not cross over into it, but claim it? In this episode, host Junius Williams sits down with Dr. Salamishah Tillet, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and distinguished professor at Rutgers University, to unpack the cultural and political shockwaves of Beyoncé's country music era. From the erasure of Black cowboys and artists like Charley Pride and DeFord Bailey, to the radio station that refused to play Texas Hold 'Em while it sat at number one on iTunes, to her historic Grammy win — this conversation reveals how one album drop exposed a war at the heart of American music. Plus, Junius shares a personal story about Nina Simone performing at his birthday party in Newark. Yes, really.

2. 

   31 Mar 2026

   Episode 5: Rutha Mae Harris on Freedom Songs, SNCC, and the Civil Rights Movement

   In this episode of Everything’s Political, Junius Williams speaks with Rutha Mae Harris, an original member of the SNCC Freedom Singers, speaks about the political power of music during the Civil Rights Movement, freedom songs, Albany Movement, and protest music are at the heart of this episode of Everything’s Political. Rutha Mae shares how freedom songs were born from gospel, spirituals, and everyday Black musical traditions and how those songs strengthened people in marches, churches, and jail cells. She reflects on growing up in segregated Albany, Georgia, joining the movement, singing at mass meetings, and why she believes the movement could not have happened without music. This episode is a moving look at Black history, movement-building, protest music, voting rights, and the role of song in political struggle. ▶️ WATCH/LISTEN: YouTube (Full Episode): https://www.youtube.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/) ⁨@everythingspoliticalpodcast⁩ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everythings-political/id1849927143 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everythings-political/id1849927143) Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4f1SLqKRDW88HyKXR1mVrc (https://open.spotify.com/show/4f1SLqKRDW88HyKXR1mVrc) FOLLOW + STAY CONNECTED: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingspoliticalpod/ (https://www.instagram.com/everythingspoliticalpod/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverythingsPoliticalPod (https://www.facebook.com/EverythingsPoliticalPod) Newsletter: https://everything-s-political-podcast.kit.com/ (https://everything-s-political-podcast.kit.com/) CREDITS: Everything’s Political Podcast is sponsored by the Center for Education and Juvenile Justice and supported by the Terrell Foundation, PSEG Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and listeners like you. Produced by Junius Williams and Dreamplay Media. RuthaMaeHarris #FreedomSongs #CivilRightsMovement #SNCC #BlackHistory #ProtestMusic #MusicAndActivism #VotingRights

3. 

   28 Feb 2026

   Episode 4: S6 E4 - The Power of Music: Stefon Harris & Jason Moran on Practice, Blues, Community + Harmony Cloud (Live at Express Newark)

   Celebrate Black History Month with a powerful fireside conversation on the Everything’s Political Podcast. Host Junius Williams sits down with world-renowned jazz artists and educators Jason Moran (pianist, MacArthur Fellow) and Stefon Harris (vibraphonist, Grammy-nominated artist) at Express Newark, part of Rutgers University–Newark, in Newark, NJ. This episode highlights the cultural legacy of Black music and the deep connections between the Black church, the blues, and jazz. Moran shares how hearing Thelonious Monk at age 13 changed his relationship to music and practice. Harris connects the blues to church testimony and storytelling, showing how musicians use “in-between notes,” rhythm, and harmony to make instruments sound human. You’ll also get clear, listener-friendly explanations of core music concepts—including the 12-bar blues form, the 1–4–5 chord progression, and the dominant 7 chord—with live demonstrations that bring the lesson to life. Plus, Harris introduces Harmony Cloud, an app designed for ear training, improvisation practice, and building confidence for musicians learning jazz and blues. Perfect for fans of jazz podcasts, blues history, music education, Black culture, and anyone who wants to understand how music builds discipline, community, and freedom. Keywords naturally included: Black History Month, Black music, jazz, blues, Thelonious Monk, Newark NJ, Rutgers Newark, Express Newark, ear training, improvisation, dominant seventh, 12-bar blues, 1-4-5 progression, Jason Moran, Stefon Harris, Junius Williams, Everything’s Political Podcast.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.