In Episode 26 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Denzell Turner, founder and host of the Black Fridays Podcast, to discuss podcast monetization, community wealth, and building a business platform rooted in Detroit entrepreneurship.

Launched during the 2020 Blackout Tuesday movement, Black Fridays Podcast began as a way to spotlight Black-owned businesses and founders. What started as Instagram Live conversations evolved into a long-running podcast documenting revenue strategies, civic engagement, and the realities of growing a sustainable brand through audio.

In this conversation, Denzell shares how corporate marketing systems informed his approach to podcasting, why consistency determines long-term monetization, and how content creators can build trust within their local ecosystems. We examine the difference between short-form growth and long-form depth, the economics of podcasting beyond sponsorships, and why most podcasters stop before their platform compounds.

This episode speaks directly to podcasters, entrepreneurs, and community builders thinking about longevity, audience trust, and translating content into tangible economic impact.

Listen to Black Fridays Podcast wherever you stream podcasts.

Subscribe to Heard! Afros & Audio for more conversations on podcasting, media strategy, and creative entrepreneurship.

00:00 – Welcome + Who is Denzell Turner?
05:00 – The Origin of Black Fridays During Blackout Tuesday
10:00 – Why Revenue Conversations Matter in Podcasting
15:00 – Interviewing Detroit's Mayor + Civic Engagement Through Podcasting
20:00 – Corporate Marketing Strategy Applied to Black Entrepreneurs
25:00 – From IG Live to Studio Recording: Evolution of the Show
30:00 – Short-Form, YouTube Strategy & Attention Economics
35:00 – Why Consistency Determines Monetization
40:00 – Making Podcasting Work Beyond Direct Revenue
45:00 – Podcast Coaching Program + Building a Creator Community

To learn more about Denzell Turner visit https://blackfridayspod.com

Listen to Black Fridays Podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/8d54ddbb-c761-4366-b866-d9b661d6fb4a

Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/blackfridayspodcast

This episode is brought to you by The Secret Life of TK Dutes Visit: www.tastykeish.com/secretlifepod

Follow on Instagram @tastykeish (IG) and @philosfuturemedia (IG- pronounced Fee-Lows)

In Episode 25 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Keisha "TK" Dutes to discuss The Secret Life of TK, a narrative podcast exploring burnout, media industry pressure, and creative sovereignty in audio storytelling.

TK is a veteran audio producer whose career spans terrestrial radio, streaming platforms, and podcasting. In this conversation, she reflects on shifting from producing other people's stories to telling her own and how burnout became both a physical and emotional turning point.

We examine what burnout looks like inside the media industry, the difference between visibility and being valued, and why reclaiming ownership of your narrative can redefine your relationship to the work. TK shares how she structured The Secret Life of TK as an immersive audio project, allowing different producers to shape each episode and create layered storytelling beyond traditional interview formats.

This episode explores boundaries, collaboration, vulnerability, and podcasting as public record. It also speaks directly to media professionals and creators navigating systemic pressure while trying to sustain their voice and well-being.

If you are a podcaster, producer, journalist, or creative professional thinking about burnout recovery, narrative podcasting, or building sovereign creative work, this conversation offers perspective grounded in lived experience.

Listen to The Secret Life of TK Dutes wherever you stream podcasts.

00:00 – Introduction & The Evolution of The Secret Life of TK
05:00 – When the Concept Changed in Real Time
10:00 – Letting Producers Lead & Creative Trust
15:00 – Immersive Audio & Producer-Driven Structure
20:00 – Burnout as a Physical Event
25:00 – Visibility vs Being Valued in Media
30:00 – Boundaries, Public Record & Protecting Peace
35:00 – Reciprocity, Collaboration & Time as Currency
40:00 – Permission to Change Your Mind
45:00 – Creative Practice as Restoration & Sovereignty

Listen to The Secret Life of TK Dutes on all major podcast platforms: https://podlink.com/1796520216

Subscribe to Heard! Afros & Audio for more conversations on podcasting, narrative craft, and independent media leadership.

To learn more about The Secret Life of TK Dutes visit: tastykeish.com/secretlifepod Follow on Instagram @tastykeish (IG) and @philosfuturemedia (IG- pronounced Fee-Low's...)

In Episode 24 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Leo Ra'Chel to explore her journey from BlogTalk Radio in 2011 to building PGC Media (Phat Girl Chronicles), a podcast network grounded in authenticity, culture, and long-term impact.

Before podcasting became mainstream, Leo was already creating audio spaces for conversation, community, and plus-size empowerment. Over time, that foundation evolved into PGC Media, a multi-show platform focused on Black storytelling, mental health dialogue, and audience-centered programming.

This conversation examines how early audio platforms shaped today's podcast landscape, why authenticity creates deeper audience trust than trend-driven content, and what it takes to grow from a single show into a sustainable podcast network. Leo reflects on protecting culture while scaling, maintaining integrity in content creation, and building community that feels intentional rather than transactional.

For podcasters, network founders, and creators focused on longevity over virality, this episode offers perspective on building infrastructure that supports both voice and ownership.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

00:00 – Introduction & Leo Ra'Chel's Podcasting Journey
05:00 – Starting on BlogTalk Radio in 2011
10:00 – Finding Her Voice Through Audio
15:00 – Turning a Podcast into PGC Media
20:00 – Authenticity vs Algorithm Culture
25:00 – Plus-Size Empowerment & Representation
30:00 – Building Community That Feels Like Home
35:00 – Mental Health & Media Responsibility
40:00 – Long-Form Content in a Short-Form Era
45:00 – Protecting Culture While Scaling
50:00 – Advice for Creators Focused on Longevity

To learn more about Leo Ra'Chel and PGC Media visit: Linktr.ee/pgcmedia

Follow on Social Media: Leo Ra'Chel: @iamleorachel (on all platforms)

PGC Media: @pgcmediaco

Phat Girl Chronicles: @thephatgirlchronicles

This episode is brought to you by The Secret Life of TK Dutes Visit: tastykeish.com/secretlifepod Follow on Instagram @tastykeish (IG) and @philosfuturemedia (IG- pronounced Fee-Low's...)