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Artwork for What's Ray Saying?

What's Ray Saying?

Ray Christian
Racial Identity
Military Service
Oscar Micheaux
Black History
History
Black Masculinity
Street Dogs
Black Cinema
Richmond, Virginia
Generational Differences
Emotional Expression
Father-Son Relationships
Masculine Identity
Black Podcast Awards
Racial Dynamics
Chicago Defender
Storytelling
Crown Of Blooms
Black Fashion
Healthcare Disparities

Storyteller Ray Christian shares personal stories as a sixty-something combat veteran, historian, and goat-wrangling father of six living in the rural mountains of Appalachia, all told through the fabric of centuries of Black history.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes58Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for What's Ray Saying?

Latest Episodes

In this three-part series, Ray sits down with Chaplain Colonel Khallid Shabazz — a Muslim chaplain, a combat-tested officer, and a man who has spent his career navigating faith, duty, and the contradictions of military life. Through candid conversati... more

This week, we're sharing an episode of the acclaimed podcast Articles of Interest, a show that explores the hidden history and surprising cultural power of what we wear. Ray talks with the show's creator, Avery Trufelman, as part of AOI's "Gear" seri... more

In this episode Ray breaks down how obedience, loyalty, and survival collide in America — in the military, in politics, and in Black life. From lawful orders to the legacy of Black resistance, he explores why conscience, not compliance, has always be... more

In this episode, Ray takes another look at tropes, specifically euphemism, stories that follow the path of misunderstanding by substituting words and phrases to deflect or minimize the impact of negativity. He's joined again by Kory Thomas May, and T... more

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Recent Guests

Avery Trufelman
Host of Articles of Interest, podcast about uniforms
Articles of Interest
Episode: Bonus: Gear - Articles of Interest
Ray Christian
Army veteran, educator, storyteller, podcaster, and former public radio storyteller.
What's Ray Saying?
Episode: Bonus: Death, Sex and Money - What Military Service During “Peacetime” is Really Like
Chenjerai Kumanyika
Assistant Professor of Journalism, Peabody Award-winning podcaster, poet, and hip hop artist.
NYU
Episode: Know Your Place
John Good
Writer, poet, fellow storyteller and veteran from Richmond.
Episode: Black in the Military

Host

Ray Christian
Storyteller, combat veteran, and host sharing deeply personal narratives interwoven with Black history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 834 ratings
  • Fidelity to the Constitution

    Wow, excellent job on this one!!!! Bravo, sir!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FZMA4523
    United Statesa month ago
  • Ray is a really great guy who has lived (and continues to live!) a full life, *and* he knows how to tell stories like nobody's business. Sometimes you can learn something from his stories; sometimes they just leave you with a lot to think about. Either way, they're always fantastic.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    TedinRVA
    7 months ago
  • Always look forward to Ray’s wisdom!

    You have been missed! Perhaps you have spoken about this, but if not, please share with us your stories of church ladies and their hats.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cinderonthemtn
    United States8 months ago
  • I just found Ray and am enraptured by his stories!

    Podchaser
    5
    Dr Jen Brown
    8 months ago
  • A Master Story Teller

    When I found out that Ray now has his own podcast I have been listening ever since. I was and instant fan when I heard his contribution on

    “Snap Judgement.” Ray has this voice that makes me think that I am having a conversation with a friend. Keep doing what you do Ray, I am locked in.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maurice_71
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The engaging method of sharing life stories makes many listeners feel connected and invested in the narratives presented.
The emotional depth and personal anecdotes resonate well, with many highlighting the blend of humor and historical context.
Listeners highly appreciate Ray's storytelling ability, describing it as captivating and relatable.
Feedback often emphasizes the importance of understanding racial and cultural issues through the lens of personal experiences.

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Articles of Interest
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus: Gear - Articles of Interest
Q: How did Banana Republic begin and what was the initial intent behind the brand?
Patricia and Mel started by reworking surplus gear into stylish, narrative-driven clothing; they used storytelling in catalogs and branding to elevate utilitarian items into aspirational fashion.
Bonus: Gear - Articles of Interest
Q: What drew you to explore uniforms as a fashion and cultural artifact?
Avery explains that uniforms are loaded with meaning, telling stories about power, identity, and social norms, which makes them rich material for understanding history and fashion.
Bonus: Death, Sex and Money - What Military Service During “Peacetime” is Really Like
Q: When did you get the diagnosis of PTSD? How did you start to think of yourself as someone with PTSD?
I was forced to go see a psychiatrist, and it didn't take him no time to diagnose me with severe PTSD, with psychotic features.
Bonus: Death, Sex and Money - What Military Service During “Peacetime” is Really Like
Q: What do you think your reason was at 18? How do you say it? Like, just like, why'd you join? Why'd you do this?
My reason, our classic reason is to get ahead, just as a start, to start my life, to be taken seriously in the broader, you know, white dominated world.
Bonus: Ray on "Know What You See"
Q: What does storytelling mean for you?
It describes my lived experience and allows me to communicate feelings that are difficult to articulate.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About What's Ray Saying?

What is What's Ray Saying? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content navigates the intricate landscape of personal narratives while intricately weaving together themes of Black history and identity. Noteworthy is the storytelling prowess of the host, who shares rich experiences from his life as a combat veteran and father, offering listeners a poignant exploration of cultural memory and historical context. Episodes often touch on vital contemporary issues, storytelling tropes, and the complexities of identity, making it a unique platform for understanding the intersection of personal and collective histories. The blend of humor, humanity, and deep reflections, paired with relatable anecdotes, likely draws in listeners who appreciate authentic, thought-provoking storytelling.

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Which podcasts are similar to What's Ray Saying??

These podcasts share a similar audience with What's Ray Saying?:

1. Snap Judgment
2. The Moth
3. This American Life
4. RISK!
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of What's Ray Saying? are there?

What's Ray Saying? launched 10 years ago and published 58 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What's Ray Saying??

Recent guests on What's Ray Saying? include:

1. Avery Trufelman
2. Ray Christian
3. Chenjerai Kumanyika
4. John Good

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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