Shelley’s Plumbline

About Shelley’s Plumbline

In construction, a plumbline is a weight suspended from a string used as a tool to find the true reference line. A plumbline will always find the vertical axis pointing to the center of gravity, ensuring everything is right, justified, and centered. Pulling from a library of more than 3,000 shows from his storied career in broadcasting, Shelley's Plumbline leads us in a search for the truth, opening the channels of communication and understanding on tough social topics that are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. Join us as we explore the past, compare it to today, and craft a better future.

Publisher

Shelley Stewart

Category

news · society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Apr 2023

Latest episode

10 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

166 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Oct 2026

   Dr Ricky Jones Reflects on the Legacy of Hosea Williams

   Send us Fan Mail As a member of the King's inner circle, Hosea Williams served as the advance man, organizing some of the most important events in the movement. Williams traveled to cities throughout the South, recruiting and organizing volunteers, paving the way for appearances by King, Jesse Jackson, and Andrew Young. Williams and John Lewis led the "Bloody Sunday" march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. This episode features an interview from September of 1994 with Shelley Stewart and Hosea Will...

2. 

   26 Sept 2026

   Shelley's 92nd Birthday Podcast Celebration

   Send us Fan Mail In this episode Shelley reflects on his journey from a homeless youth in Birmingham to a pioneering radio personality and successful business consultant. This episode touches on civil rights history, economic empowerment, education, and the ongoing struggle for equality, offering a powerful look at legacy, fatherhood, and social consciousness. Support the show Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

3. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Is AI the End of Thinking?

   Send us Fan Mail In this week's episode, Shelley and Ricky discuss how over-reliance on AI for writing and thinking threatens critical thinking and foundational professional competencies, forcing educators to find new ways to verify comprehension. The conversation also covered the historical ties between literacy and empowerment, current political pressures on educators (such as the dissolution of the Auburn University faculty senate), and concerns over historical awareness in federal l...

Who has been a guest on Shelley’s Plumbline

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Elijah Davis
• Erica Chisholm
• Marlon Keller
• Hosea Williams
• Ezekwa Abdullah

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,583,161,798

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

45

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

60

Contact Shelley’s Plumbline

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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

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Questions about Shelley’s Plumbline