Pass The Mic

Michael Emerson joins Tyler Burns and Jemar Tisby on this week's episode of Pass The Mic to discuss Divided By Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America, the legacy of the book, it's impact on The Witness, as well as his family's faith journey and current work.The author of 15 books and over 100 other publications, Michael O. Emerson is recognized as a national leader in the study of race and religion and has won several awards for his scholarship. He is the principal investigator of the largest study of race and religion ever conducted in the United States, funded by the Lilly Endowment. Support this podcast at patreon.com/PassTheMic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discussion on the most influential black preachers of the last 50 years, exploring their impact and highlighting figures such as Bishop T.D. Jakes and Bishop G. Patterson. The hosts also delve into the meaning of influence and how it should be stewarded, with surprising choices on Tyler's list. The podcast touches on the Active Witness Challenge, recognizing the achievements of influential black preachers, and the power of influence regardless of personal opinions.

Star actor and icon Jamie Foxx recently received backlash for a subliminal statement about “fake friends”. His statement went viral and caused fellow actors to accuse him of antisemitism and hate speech. Tyler and Jemar discuss the complexities of Black rhetoric, the ways we are often misinterpreted, and how crucial it is to protect our own language. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our resident wordsmith Ally Henny referred to the 45th president as "RICO Suave." It's a reference to the latest indictment of Trump (he's facing 91 total counts if you're keeping track)--this time in Georgia and for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) violations. Tyler and Jemar talk about how this case differs from previous indictments and how they think this might affect the 2024 presidential election. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recently, retired NFL player Michael Oher has made public statements correcting the record of his adoption from the Tuohy family. The story was the basis for the 2009 Oscar winning film “The Blindside”. Little did he know that he was being blindsided himself. In this episode, Jemar and Tyler talk about the perils of the “white savior” narrative and how crucial it is for Black people to own our stories and how we tell them. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Saturday, August 26, a white supremacist committed an act of domestic terror at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida killing 3 precious Black lives: 52-year-old Angela Michelle Carr; 19-year-old Anolt Joseph "A.J." Laguerre Jr.; and 29-year-old Jerrald De'Shaun Gallion. Tyler and Jemar are back for a bonus episode to talk about this vile shooting, the flood of emotions that we all feel, and what this continues to show us about our disregard for Black lives. Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building off of Jemar's article "The Speech They Wouldn't Let John Lewis Give during the March on Washington" (https://jemartisby.substack.com/p/the-speech-they-wouldnt-let-john) we discuss personal experiences with censorship as well as a call to action for The Active Witness Challenge (https://thewitnessfoundation.co/awc)Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chairs at the ready? Jemar and Tyler discuss the Montgomery Riverboat Brawl, the historic connections, and challenge the perceptions on nonviolence as a resistance tactic both then and now.Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The band is back together again this week with Tyler and Jemar talking about what is giving them life and the importance of finding joy in the midst of the work that God has called you to.Support this podcast at patreon.com/passthemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greetings and God Bless Welcome to Pass The Mic, this is Tyler Burns and this week we are continuing our very special look back stage at this year's Joy and Justice Rise up and Flourish conference. This past june The Witness was honored to host so many amazing speakers at this year's conference and our good friend Faitth Brooks of Melanated Faith graciously stepped in take a few minutes back stage with each of the presenters to share their testimonies and discuss what it truly means to rise up and flourish in 2023. This week we've got conversations with Dr Kenyeatta Gilbert, Dr Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, Rev Alvin Love, and Danielle Coke Balfour. You are not going to want to miss this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices