http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com--> Mandrake Society Radio podcast

On Saturday, October 11, Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend, Darian Aaron of Living out Loud with Darian, and yours truly comprised a panel on LGBTQ Blogging from the Black perspective. The panel was hosted by Lambda Literary Award-nominated writer and librarian, Reginald Harris. We discuss our "beats", gaining audience, staying relevant and credible, and what are best pajamas to blog in to showcase our good, lefty side (do realize tongue is firmly planted in cheek).

Listen via iTunes or Zune's podcast directory or go to the site:
http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/10/13/podcast-the-black-lgbtq-blogosphere/

If there's one public figure that has been made waves in the Dallas gay and mainstream press in 2009, it's Blake Wilkinson, founder of the direct political action collective, Queer LiberAction. Whether you love him, love to hate him, or simply disagree with his approach, I wanted to make this interview of opportunity to hear Blake Wilkinson unfiltered about his upbringing, his "coming out", and the catalyst of events that led to the formation of Queer LiberAction in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Look for Mandrake Society Radio podcast at iTunes or Zune Marketplace of podcast. You can also play this show directly from the website!

Today, I'm speaking with Matt Goodman, who is the President of the North Texas Bisexual Network better known as DFW Bi-NET. Matt also serves on the board of the parent group, BI Net USA, and is working as development chair with The National Conference on LGBT equality, creating change which will be held in Dallas in February 2010.

Our conversation takes place in a local coffeehouse on a unusually busy Tuesday night. Matt shares with me on he knew he was bisexual and not only how he got involved with DFW Bi Net, but he revitalized the organization in June 2008. Along the way we discuss misconceptions of bisexuality, our take on the Dallas Principles document, and Matt's favorite beers.

Hear more: http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/09/29/podcast-interview-with-matt-goodman/

This week, after Harold and I discuss Pride weekend events, I'm sharing a conversation I had with the co-hosts of Lambda Weekly: David Taffet, Lerone Landis, and Patti Fink. Now in its 27th season, Lambda Weekly discusses politics and entertainment affecting the LGBT community and airs every Sunday from noon to 1pm on KNON 89.3 FM, smacked between holy ghost, throw-down gospel music and polka. Along with that programming blend, we discuss the origins of the show in 1983 and plenty of funny stories through the years. You're also hear poetry by Athens Boyz Choir called, "Biological", with additional audio enhancement by yours truly.

Tune in via Mandrake Society Radio podcast at iTunes or directly at the site.

In the first half of the show, I'm speaking with Jarid Manos, founder and CEO of Great Plains Restoration Council (GPRC). GPRC has been on the forefront of the ecological health movement and Jarid explains the new opportunities for the group as they celebrate ten years of their work. From his Ft. Worth offices, we also talked about their recently endorsed work of saving the native plants and animal life of Prairie Park. My first conversation with Jarid Manos was about his book, Ghetto Plainsman. Now in it's second printing, he also talks about the book tour to support this provocative true story.

My second conversation is with Earl Fowlkes, President and CEO of the International Federation of Black Prides. Earl and I discuss the purpose of the Federation, why Black prides are growing in and outside of the United States, and the change some have made against Black prides for concern that they are divisive to the overall gay community.

The conversation that opens the show is with Ashon and Matt from the Million Gay March of Texas (now dubbed Equality March Texas) held in June 2009. The music in the mix with their interview was "evolve or die" by Autolect (Watch for new music from him soon, now under the new brand, Velox Nur) Actress, Barbara Ann Teer brings words of wisdom at the end of today's show.

Listen via the website or iTunes (just look for Mandrake Society Radio podcast).

Every Monday, I post a jazz mixtape on Mandrake Society Radio.com. Just in case it’s your first listen to these jazz shows, I call them “mixtapes” for a reason. If you’re a traditional jazz purist, this may not be the show for you. However, if you’re inspired by traditional and contemporary jazz and sometimes love hearing your jazz music mixed with a touch of pop, then dig in. This mixtape is for you.

Get the full set list of this Monday's show and enjoy the show @ the website, or iTunes or Zune Marketplace. Jazz. Every Monday. Mandrake Society Radio.com.

http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/09/08/podcast-interview-with-lisa-c-moore-and-joseph-farkadsi/

This is the first show of Mandrake Society Radio podcast, Season 5, and I really want to thank you for being a part of this experience of documenting a special story. It is a Dallas story. It is a African-American/Black story. It is a story of understanding sexual orientation and gender. It is about working around and through religion/no religion in this life. And yes, it is a story of us.

Today, I share conversation with two authors. First, I'm talking again with my friend currently based in Germany, Joseph T. Farkasdi, who's just written the new book, Sefer Digambara Pulkhanim ha'Yehudi, which explores the reclamation of a naturist lifestyle and Jewish ritual.

My second conversation is with founder of RedBone Press in Washington, D.C., Lisa C. Moore. Lisa is also President of the board of directors for Fire & Ink, Inc. We discuss digital publishing, promotion techniques, and the upcoming Fire & Ink writers festival happening in Austin, TX, October 8-11th, 2009. To browse and purchase the titles referenced in our interview, visit the RedBone Press website. For more information and registration for Cotillion, this year's theme for the Fire & Ink event, visit http://2009.fireandink.org.

Also, here's more on our Dallas, TX, party for September 19!

Listen via the website or iTunes or Zune marketplace of podcasts.

http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/09/08/podcast-interview-with-lisa-c-moore-and-joseph-farkadsi/

On August 29, 2009, poet, author, and playwright, Sonia Sanchez was the keynote speaker for the community breakfast at Tulisoma 2009, the annual South Dallas book fair. Ms. Sanchez is considered an architect of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. She has lectured at over 500 universities and colleges in the United States,as well as speaking engagements in Africa, China, and Cuba. Enjoy her complete address as a special podcast here at Mandrake Society Radio. Please note that the volume is decreased in the 30 seconds or so of the her speech program, however it quickly comes up to normal level so be prepared to adjust your headphones or speakers accordingly.

In her speech, she quotes Black gay author and playwright, James Baldwin, on the power of language. Enjoy!

http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/09/01/sonia-sanchez-at-tulisoma-2009-dallas-texas

http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/07/21/exploring-black-queerness-interview-with-steven-g-fullwood/

What is B/black queerness, and how can we support more of the writing which celebrates our queerness? I’m discussing that today with Steven G. Fullwood, founder of the Black Gay/Lesbian Archive, located in the Schomberg Center for Black Culture in the New York City Library. Steven is also a writer, publisher, and vice-president of the Board of Directors for the Fire and Ink Organization. I’ve been looking forward to our talk, because Steven’s blog was a huge influence on my decision to begin this podcast.

Enjoy the interview via the link or via iTunes.

http://www.mandrakesocietyradio.com/2009/07/21/exploring-black-queerness-interview-with-steven-g-fullwood/

As tempers in our community flare about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (more acronymically known as DADT these days), one West Texas-born soldier wanted to tell me his story about his military service with no issues from fellow or commanding officers about being openly gay. He also believes his story (and others' stories with a similar experience) will make a difference in the rationale that keeps a policy like DADT on the books. His name is Robaire Watson, and he has a message for the top officials in the military as well as for the Servicemember's Legal Defense Fund, a watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel.

Listen to the interview with Robaire Watson at www.mandrakesocietyradio.com. You can also grab the podcast via iTunes and Zune Marketplace.