BHM 2026: Showcasing Black Voices in Podcasting
Podcast recommendations for Black History Month 2026
Welcome to EarBuds!
In this issue, our curator is Janel Strachan. Before we share Janel’s picks, some notes and links…
-Arielle Nissenblatt, EarBuds Founder
This newsletter is celebrating 9 years! I’m asking for your feedback via a reader survey so that I can continue delivering a useful weekly podcast dispatch. I’ve collected 30 responses so far. I am aiming for at least 30 more. Help me get there! Take the survey.
Any bit of data helps. Especially qualitative feedback.
I know you’re asked to do 5 million things on the internet every single day. So, let me persuade you: there are prizes on the line for respondents!
Sneak peek: Lauren Passell and I took to the streets of NYC to ask passersby about their podcast consumption habits. We wrote about our findings:
Here’s a roundup of podcasts that covered the Benito Bowl
Podcasts for Black History Month 2026
These podcast episodes, along with their descriptions, were curated and written by Janel Strachan.
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club - a true New York staple - shapes culture because it sits at the intersection of music, politics and real life conversation. When something happens in the community, they’re usually part of the first real discussion around it.
Code Switch
Code Switch breaks down race and identity in a way that feels smart, but still accessible. They help give context to conversations people are already having, but pushes it even deeper.
7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony
Melo blends sports, music, and real talk in a way that feels very natural - never forced. It reflects how culture actually overlaps in real life, and genuinely keep connecting to younger audiences.
Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls keeps normalizing mental health conversations in communities where that wasn’t always openly discussed. She continues to make therapy feel less taboo and more empowering.
The Read
The Read impacts culture because it says what a lot of people are actually thinking. It’s humor, commentary, and accountability in the same show that reaches everyone.
These shows have the depth, creativity, and impact that all communities connect with. The storytelling shared by these Black voices is authentic and influential - just like the culture itself
Janel Strachan, February 2026 EarBuds Curator
✨Become an EarBuds curator! Learn more here.
Sponsored
All The Right Movies
All The Right Movies tells the story of Hollywood one film at a time. Each episode is a 2.5-hour deep dive into a classic or hit film – the complete behind-the-scenes story of how it was made, whether it works, and why it matters.
With around 100 hours of research behind every episode, this is film content you won’t find anywhere else.
Show off your podcast, product, event, or thing by purchasing an ad in this newsletter ✔️
Community
🗑️ In Podcast The Newsletter, Lauren Passell writes… “Blood Memory [from Nick van der Kolk] follows the life of Michael Thompson, who joined the Aryan Brotherhood when he went to prison for probably murdering someone, then was freed after testifying against them in several high-profile criminal trials…”
💞 Love, Take Two is a conversation-driven podcast about second acts, fresh starts, and the unexpected turns that lead us to who we’re meant to become. Hosted by José Rolón and Jaimie Kelton, each episode dives into candid, funny, and deeply human stories of love, loss, pivots, and plot twists. Listen here.
📣 CBC Podcasts launched its 2026 Call for Pitches. They welcome pitches from a variety of production partners, including in-house teams, independent producers and production companies, and co-productions with other media. Submit your pitch by April 1st.
This is the spot where you’d usually see our Spotlight Podcast. Uh oh! We don’t have one this week. Which gives you an opportunity.
Extra Tidbits
Meet PodPillow
PodPillow started as a personal fix for its founder, who loved listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and binaural beats, but found lying on their side with earbuds was uncomfortable.
PodPillow is a small, non-electronic comfort cushion that sits under your ear, relieving pressure when you’re side-lying with earbuds. It’s designed for people who listen in bed and want to stay comfortable while they do. It works with AirPods and all earbuds, and doesn’t involve bulky headbands or electronics — just a simple, thoughtful solution to a very real irritation.
Give us Some Feedback
Tell us what you love about EarBuds, what you hate about EarBuds, anything in between. Thank you!