The Parker Edison Project What comes to mind when you think of American culture? The Parker Edison Project works to expand the cliché answer to that question. It's a podcast that zooms way in on what really makes a culture — food, music, style, sex, fashion and more. Join host and co-creator Parker Edison for insightful conversations about creativity and community, all through the lens of Black America. This is the Parker Edison Project, a sonic exploration of what's considered American, where each episode starts with a thought-provoking talk and ends with a musical bang.
The Parker Edison Project

The Parker Edison Project

From KPBS Radio

What comes to mind when you think of American culture? The Parker Edison Project works to expand the cliché answer to that question. It's a podcast that zooms way in on what really makes a culture — food, music, style, sex, fashion and more. Join host and co-creator Parker Edison for insightful conversations about creativity and community, all through the lens of Black America. This is the Parker Edison Project, a sonic exploration of what's considered American, where each episode starts with a thought-provoking talk and ends with a musical bang.

Most Recent Episodes

At the movies

Our season three finale is all about movies. Guests Jacole Kitchen https://www.kcet.org/people/jacole-kitchen , Micheal Tyrone Delaney https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/07/arts/dance/dance-class-california-prisons.html, mixtape DJ E3 https://instagram.com/therealdje3sd?igshid=MTI1ZDU5ODQ3Yw== , and rapper Daygo Fatts https://m.soundcloud.com/daygo-fatts give their cinema suggestions. Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Bob Surratt (advisor), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

At the movies

The Spokane Tapes

A revealing tale of two California hustlers coming of age in the Pacific Northwest. Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Bob Surratt (advisor), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

The Spokane Tapes

Africa vs American

In this episode, some friends and I discuss their travels to the motherland. Plus LA rappers CVE close the show with a track from their newest record "Critical Bass Theory" (https://theriddlore.bandcamp.com/). Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

Africa vs American

Crime and the IE

For this episode, I talk to activist Chris Castorena (https://linktr.ee/abetterbanning), podcaster Askari Abdul-Muntaqim (https://youtube.com/@gangsta-gangsta8300 ), and artist Jasiri X (https://www.ted.com/talks/jasiri_x_racism_the_secret_of_my_success) about how despite its recent Grammy success, there might be a strange rise in crime in the Inland Empire. Music by Nah'Shon https://linktr.ee/nahshxn and GeneFlo Beats https://m.soundcloud.com/geneflobeats Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations), and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

Crime and the IE

Body Healthy

In this episode we hear from a pair of physical educators Movement Matters Collective - About , a black apothecarist whose philosophies manifest in her tinctures https://www.resonatewith.co/ and North Carolina rapper Phonte Coleman of Little Brother https://littlebrothernc.com/ speaks on how he stays sharp. Music by Nah'Shon https://linktr.ee/nahshxn Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Nathan Whitsell (Writer), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

Body Healthy

Alternative Educations

In this episode, I introduce you to a resource teacher expanding ideas in education before visiting an organic garden https://www.olivewoodgardens.org/ smack dab in the middle of National City. Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Angela Rogan (Writer), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

Alternative Educations

We Got It (the Jazz)

In this latest episode, I dig into San Diego's quiet legacy of Jazz music, percussionist Leon E. Alexander Jr https://www.reillyartscenter.com/people/leon-e-alexander-jr/ speaks on his journey, and composer Atlanta composer Marie A. Douglas https://www.marieadouglas.com/ shares what inspires her. Music: Sean Kantrowitz https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2261616/sean-kantrowitz/ Episode artwork Anne McColl https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Angela Rogan (Writer), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

We Got It (the Jazz)

How We Eat

For this episode Papalo chef Drew Bent (https://instagram.com/drewbent?igshid=ODMwYzU2MzQ= ) discusses thoughtful dining and hip hop icon Imani (https://instagram.com/imani_can?igshid=ODMwYzU2MzQ= ) of the Pharcyde shares tales from his career including how he eats on world tours. Music: Gene Flo Beats https://instagram.com/gene_flo?igshid=ODMwYzU2MzQ= Episode artwork: https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/hello-links Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

How We Eat

Black Detroit Power

Our fourth episode features a deep discussion with organizer/revolutionary Yusef Bunchy Shakur Yusef about Detroit and author Dan Charnas https://dillati.me/ discusses Dilla and the sound of the city. Music: Liberation (Q Lazarus remix) by Guilty Simpson https://instagram.com/guiltysimpson?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= and Max Carnage https://instagram.com/maxcarnage?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Episode artwork by https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Angela Rogan (Writer), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

Black Detroit Power

Art-life

The theme of episode 3 is art. We get a definition from painter/sculptor Jean Cornwell Wheat (https://jeanwheat.wordpress.com/about/) then I visit a fashion house in Barrio Logan (https://sewloka.com/) and L.A.'s Open Mike Eagle (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CuU6SRJjbbZL926nSGGxX?si=SKcnMIVBRGSQkbHPW705yA) gives us the history of art rap. Music: https://www.instagram.com/gene_flo/ Episode artwork: https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/ Show credits: Parker Edison (Host), Chris Reyes (Head Editor), Angela Rogan (Writer), Prof Robert A. Saunders (Geo-Political Consultant), Adrian Villalobos (Media Production Specialist), Lisa Jane Morrisette (Director of Audio Programming and Operations) and John Decker (Senior Director of Content Development)

Art-life