Podcasting Is the New Kink!

This is the last episode about Black Cake but this is definitely my favorite conversation! Today on Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Nicole and I discuss diversions from novel and reason why the producers of the series made the choices they did.We delve into the themes of secrets and identity and we explore how secrets shape the characters' lives and relationships, particularly focusing on the question: how much of our identity is shaped by the secrets we keep?. The conversation highlights the impact of colonialism, the portrayal of women, and the significance of familial relationships, ultimately questioning how adaptations can simplify complex narratives.We also dive into themes of family legacy, the impact of police brutality in media, character representation, and the cultural significance of the Nine Night ceremony. We emphasize the importance of identity and the connections to heritage, particularly in the context of Jamaican culture.We talk:08:46 - Diving into character diversions22:01 - Byron's journey and character development30:03 - Police brutality in media39:05 - Casting choices and audience perception46:28 - Cultural significance of the Nine Night CeremonyEpisode References:Inside Out 2 (2024)Marvel Cinematic UniverseGet Millie Black (TV Series 2024)The Other Black Girl Trailer (Episode 58-64)Steve HarrisDiary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)Marlan WayansBel-Air (TV Series 2022- )Michael BeachConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kink *This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

Which is worse? Knowing or not knowing? Another important question from the story in Black Cake. I'm not sure which is worse, but if I have to know, I want to hear it from the source! My cohost, Dr. Nicole and I discuss this further in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!Today we delve into the themes of Black Cake, focusing on the power of storytelling and the impact of cultural expectations on identity. We explore the characters' secrets, particularly Benny and Byron's struggles with identity, relationships, and societal pressures. We also discuss how the adaptation of the story from book to series affects the narrative and character development. One of the main themes we touch on is the concept of the ''Bennett Way," exploring the unrealistic expectations placed on individuals within families and the broader implications of these dynamics. We reflect on the significance of ancestry and the miracles that unfold in the story, emphasizing the importance of personal journeys and self-discovery.We talk:08:49 - Siblings and their secrets14:55 - Benny's journey and relationships26:49 - Identity and agency43:07 - Byron's Struggles and Secrets01:01:02 - Miracles and ancestry Episode References:Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola DavisConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kink *This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

How much truth do parents owe their children? I'm not a parent, so I definitely don't know the answer to this question, but it was fun to discuss it! In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Dr. Nicole and I dive into Black Cake, and if you've read the novel or watched the series you probably understand why that question is so important.This conversation delves into the themes of family secrets, generational trauma, and the impact of colonialism as explored in the book and series. Nicole and I reflect on personal experiences with family secrets, the importance of truth between parents and children, and how these themes resonate within Caribbean culture. They also discuss the significance of Black Cake as a symbol of identity and the adaptation of the story from book to screen, highlighting the poetic writing style and visual storytelling that brings the narrative to life. We highlight the importance of queer representation in media, the production process, and the significance of casting choices. We discuss the impact of music on storytelling and analyze the narrative structure, including cliffhangers and foreshadowing. And, we emphasize the need for authenticity in representation.We talk:05:59 Exploring truth between parents and children14:59 The art of adaptation from book to screen21:04 Visual storytelling 33:59 Celebrating queer representation in media41:12 Cinematic choices and character development53:39 Music's role in storytellingEpisode References:Queenie by Candice Carty-WilliamsPodcasting Is the New Kink! Season 8: The Other Black Girl Master of None (TV Series 2015–2021)Frazier (Reboot TV Series 2023–2024)Downton Abbey (TV Series 2010–2015)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kink *This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

Podcasting Is the New Kink! is back with a new review and an old friend!Welcome to season 9, which is all about Black Cake, novel by Charmaine Wilkerson, and series adaptation by Harpo Films, Two Drifters, Kapital Entertainment, and ABC Signature. The book was an amazing read and the show was a fantastic watch. I'm so excited to share my thoughts and feeling with you!And, I brought back my favorite cohost, Nicole M. Young-Martin, founder, producer, and host of the podcast, Black Writers Read. We discuss themes, characters, settings, and more.Connect with Nicole on her website blackwritersread.com and IG @blackwritersreadConnect with me on IG @pod.kinkIn this season, we are going to talk about why you should invest some time reading the book AND watching the series. We usually recommend the book for certain audiences and the series for others. But, this time we want you to do both!Stay tuned for new episodes released on Wednesdays! And, make sure that you are subscribed to Podcasting Is the New Kink!

What would you do if you were in Nella's shoes? We've done a lot of talking about her actions, motivations, and background, but now it's time to put ourselves in her place. In this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, Nicole and I dive into the choices we would make, emphasizing the significance of pain and resilience in shaping who we are today.We also give our predictions for a hypothetical season two, even though the series was cancelled after the first season, and we discuss the importance of having clear motivations for our protagonists, especially when they are hella messy. Great examples of messy but loveable protagonists show up in two of The Onyx Collective's other shows: "Queenie." and "Unprisoned." We compare the different worlds portrayed, the production value differences, and the relatability of the heroes in all three shows, with the protagonists from "Queenie," and "Unprisoned," being more likable than Nella, even though they were just as messy.We talk:Comparison to "Unprisoned" - 1:07Predictions for the season we didn't get - 12:26"What would YOU do?" questions - 25:09This is the last episode of our series on "The Other Black Girl," novel and series, so I hope you have enjoyed our discussion. There will definitely be more. Stay tuned!Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisUnprisoned (TV Series 2023–2024)Queenie (TV Series 2024–)Queenie (book by Candice Carty-Williams, 2019)Black Panther (Film 2018)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

One thing “The Other Black Girl,” was missing was its sense of a New York setting. The book noted the resistance meeting in Harlem, but didn’t talk about where Wagner was located. And, the series used vague stock videos instead of showing specific landmarks, so we don’t know what neighborhoods they were in. This is just another thing the series was lacking. And, Nicole and I go into all of our production likes and dislikes in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!We liked the characterization through costuming. For example, Nella starting off wearing neutral colors and plain patterns, but ended up wearing bright hues and daring silhouettes, and we saw her experimenting along the way. Her costumes directly represented her character arc, and it was fun to watch.We also talk about the production company, The Onyx Collective, and similar shows that they have produced, like "Queenie," which we both found more engaging, well-written, and visually appealing. We emphasize the importance of genuine diversity and the need for better adaptations of black literature.Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila HarrisThe Twilight Zone (2019–2020)American Fiction (2023)"Erasure" by Percival EverettTara DuncanTimes ReviewThe Onyx Collective ShowsQueenie (2024)"Queenie" by Candice Carty-WilliamsBWR Bonus: Nicole on Candice Carty-Williams' QueenieTOBG Wiki PageDem Bois Pod Ep. 58 Culture and CannabisPINK Ep. 61 Themes, Genres, and Cultural RelevanceConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

The last episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! ended with me talking about what makes a thriller and the elements that are usually included in thrillers. This episode starts with a conversation about why "The Other Black Girl" is NOT a thriller and what it lacks.We also highlight the lack of clear character motivations, the inconsistent use of time and place markers, and the unrealistic portrayal of black women greasing each other's scalps, or temples, like the series shows. We compare it to other successful thrillers like "The Blackening" and "Inside Out 2," noting the importance of suspense, a clock, and believable plot devices. The conversation also touches on the rushed production timeline and the need for better context and development of themes related to blackness/anti-blackness, respectability politics, and workplace culture.We talk:The brilliance of "Inside Out 2" - 4:36Time/place markers in the book - 11:11Series production time, or lack of it - 19:01Social commentary of "the grease" - 27:26Revising Diana's character - 34:37In this episode, I learned that the production time for streamed series is very short. And the writers aren't usually a part of the filming process, so they don't get a chance to gel and really develop the show. These streaming companies prefer quantity over quality and it shows!Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl (Novel 2021)Zakiya Dalila Harris2023 Writers Guild of America StrikeInside Out 2The BlackeningConnect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

"The Other Black Girl" was billed as "Get Out" meets "Devil Wears Prada," but it definitely missed the mark there. And, that is a huge part of the discussion in this episode of Podcasting is the New Kink! Nicole and I had to take some leaps to draw parallels between these stories, and it was not easy.We also discuss themes in "The Other Black Girl," both the book and series. We explore the concept of "outward facing, or forced diversity" and the role it plays in corporate settings, citing how the story uses the publishing industry as an example. One my my favorite parts of this conversation surrounded the portrayal of blackness, anti-blackness, and workplace politics and hair in the book and its adaptation. We also touch on the story's portrayal of sisterhood and the lack of it.We talk:Forced diversity in real life - 6:54Hair as a key identity marker for Black women - 18:37Blackness not accepted in workplace culture - 24:00Sisterhood and the lack thereof - 34:56"Get Out" meets "Devil Wears Prada" - 45:01What makes a thriller a thriller - 52:29At the end of this episode, I talk about what makes a thriller a thriller, highlighting the importance of suspense, plot twists, and character development, and critiquing the book and series's failure to meet these expectations.Episode References:The Other Black Girl (TV Series 2023)The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila HarrisZakiya Dalila HarrisDem Bois Podcast Ep. #58 - Culture and Cannabis: Advocating for Black Trans MenGabby DouglasSimone BilesCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel WilkersonOrigin (Movie 2023)Black Writers Read Podcast Ep. Bonus: Isabel Wilkerson's Caste, a Conversation with Pink Lady Jasmine GaryGet Out (Movie 2017)The Devil Wears Prada (Movie 2006)The Prestige (Movie 2006)Connect with Nicole on her website BlackWritersRead.com and IG @blackwritersread*This episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink! was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com