Show overview
Harlem Queen has been publishing since 2019, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 39 episodes, alongside 19 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence, with the show now in its 5th season.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 13 min and 23 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. Roughly 38% of episodes carry an explicit flag from the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Fiction show.
There hasn’t been a new episode in the last ninety days; the most recent episode landed 5 months ago. The busiest year was 2025, with 15 episodes published. Published by Yhane Washigton Smith.
From the publisher
Harlem Queen is an award-winning Black historical fiction audio drama based on the true story of Madame Stephanie St. Clair, the bold, brilliant "Numbers Queen" who built a Harlem empire during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. Written, produced, and directed by Yhane Washington Smith, an A'Leila Bundles Scholar at Columbia University, this five-season series brings Madame St. Clair's world to vivid life through original music, meticulous sound design, and a full cast of characters. Jazzy, glamorous, and unflinching about what it meant to be a Black woman in America in the 1920s. As featured on ABC's primetime documentary The Story of Soaps. History this rich deserves to be heard. You can follow on Instagram: @Yhane.Writes, our web site: YhaneWashingtonSmith.com, email: [email protected]. or our newsletter: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Thank you for listening!
Latest Episodes
View all 39 episodes
S5 Ep 3S5 EP3 - Policy Banking 101
Anita breaks down policy banking to Michelle. The episode features: Isabelle Kerby-McGowan Nina Smith Marie-Francoise Theodore Gabrielle Adkins Sound Designed by Collin Thomas Original Theme Music created by Jason Moran Produced, written, directed and edited by Yhane Washington Smith Thank you to The Puffin Foundation for their support of this project. This is our final season of "Harlem Queen" the audio drama. What happens next? A play? A movie? A spinoff? Read all about it in my newsletter harlemqueen.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TRAILER for "Auricle"!
bonusHi! We are ready to drop new episodes of "Harlem Queen" about our very gangster and philanthropic Madame Stephanie St. Clair during the Harlem Renaissance. In the meantime, check out the promo to a show that I listen to for inspiration titled "Auricle"! Help us make more episodes of "Harlem Queen" by becoming a patron!: https://www.patreon.com/harlemqueen AND/OR subscribe to my newsletter!: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 Ep 4S5 Ep4 - Final Series Episode
In this final episode of the series, Stephanie makes her return and even convinces Anita not to give up her territory. Dutch Schultz is finally shot dead. Michelle comes to a conclusion, which sets us up for our spin-off series, "Crown Beauty". This episodes features: Gabrielle Adkins Isabelle Kerby-McGowan Nina Smith Ian Bell Jimmy Mehiel Denese Longsworth Karen Chmielnicki Sound designed by Colin Thomas Original theme music by Jason Moran Produced, written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith Thank you to The Puffin Foundation for their support of this project. What's next for "Harlem Queen" read my short and sweet newsletter and find out: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crime Adjacent - Tommy
bonusTommy Coulet left home at 9 p.m. on Dec. 23, 1995 and would never return. His body was discovered the next morning in a known lovers’ lane spot on the western edge of Ridgewood just off Interstate 80. Investigators wouldn’t know it at the time, but Tommy Coulet would be the first known victim of the most prolific serial killer in American history. This is the story of how it all began. Crime Adjacent is the never-ending true crime story told weekly. New episodes every Wednesday. Find behind the scenes details or join our true crime and criminal profiling reading group at our Patreon page -- http://www.patreon.com/crimeadjacent -- hope to see you there! Crime Adjacent is produced & edited by Multitude. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 Ep 2S5 EP2 - The Great Escape
Stephanie makes her great escape from prison. This episode features: Marie - Francoise Theodore Gabrielle Adkins Journey Brown-Saintel Luke Slattery Thank you: Emilio Smith Tom Smith Collin Thomas Sound designed by Collin Thomas Produced, written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith Thank you to The Puffin Foundation for their support of this project. We are taking "Harlem Queen" to the stage! Join us on our journey! subscribe to: https://substack.com/@harlemqueen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S5 Ep 1S5 EP1 - The Queens of Harlem
This is our first episode of our last season! While Stephanie is recuperating in France with Josephine Baker, we meet the other Queens of Harlem; Anita Howell, Rita, Polly Adler and even Stephanie's daughter, Michelle. This episode features: Isabelle Kerby-McGowan as Anita Howell Denese Longsworth as Rita Munoz Karen Chmielnicki as Polly Adler Nina Smith as Michelle Mondesir Sound Designed by Collin Thomas "Harlem Queen" is produced, written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith Thank you to The Puffin Foundation for their support of this project. We are taking "Harlem Queen" to the stage! Join us on our journey! subscribe to: https://substack.com/@harlemqueen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Season Five Trailer
trailerLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Yhane talks with Jana Naomi Smith creator of "Red for Revolution".
bonusI am so glad to share with you my conversation with Jana Naomi Smith creator of Red for Revolution. Jana and I discuss providing a platform for "undertold" stories. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
red for revolution
bonusRadiotopia Presents: Red for Revolution is an audio drama centering intergenerational stories of Black women, queer love, and liberation. The heart of the story follows the passionate love affair between jazz singer Lorraine Giovanni and activist Ella Ali. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of Jazmine, an 18-year-old grappling with her queer identity, first crush, and the delicate task of mending her relationship with her homophobic mother. As Jazmine seeks solace and guidance from her grandmother, listeners are transported back to 1971, where two remarkable women from vastly different backgrounds, with opposing political views and living oceans apart, embark on a romance that defies all conventions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 10We're All Ancestors in Training. Yhane talks with Nichole Hill of "Our Ancestors Were Messy".
bonusI am so glad to share with you my conversation with Nichole Hill of The Our Ancestors Were Messy podcast. Nichole and I talk about the history and value of Black newspapers and how we use them to make our shows. I had no idea there were so many! I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S3 Ep 9Part 2 of William Sutphin (Booker and Olivia) and Yhane have a sit down.
bonusPart two of the talk. Yhane has a sit down with William Sutphin creator of the "Booker and Olivia" audio drama. Yhane and William discuss creating Black historical fiction. William breaks down crafting his favorite scene. You can follow William on Instagram @audio_auteur. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 8William Sutphin (Booker and Olivia) and Yhane have a sit down.
bonusYhane has a sit down with William Sutphin creator of the "Booker and Olivia" audio drama. Yhane and William discuss creating Black historical fiction. You can follow William on Instagram @audio_auteur. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 7We Have Main Character Energy. Yhane talks with Dominic Lawson of Black is America.
bonusYhane talks with Dominic Lawson of the "Black is America" Podcast. Yhane and Dominic talk about 'standing in the gap' - making sure that we learn and share our stories. I could ALWAYS use your help to make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 6Stephanie St. Clair; Fact, Fiction, Myth, Legend - Pt. 2, Yhane and Isabelle Kerby-McGowan compare notes.
Isabelle and I compare notes about Stephanie St. Clair who spoke loud and clear when it came to self publicity and marketing. Stephanie was known to "indulge" when discussing her place of birth, age, income, etc. Isabelle and I try to discern what is fact and what is fiction, but conclude with even more questions. Isabelle Kerby-McGowan is a producer at Goat Rodeo, her series, Queens of the Underworld, was an invaluable source for my research to write Harlem Queen. The books Isabelle and I refer to are: LaShawn Harris’s Sex Workers, Psychics, and Numbers Runners Shirley Stewart's The World of Stephanie St. Clair I could ALWAYS use your help to pay the folks who help me make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 5Stephanie St. Clair; Fact, Fiction, Myth, Legend - Pt. 1, Yhane and Isabelle Kerby-McGowan compare notes.
bonusIsabelle and I compare notes about Stephanie St. Clair who spoke loud and clear when it came to self publicity and marketing. Stephanie was known to "indulge" when discussing her place of birth, age, income, etc. Isabelle and I try to discern what is fact and what is fiction, but conclude with even more questions. Isabelle Kerby-McGowan is a producer at Goat Rodeo, her series, Queens of the Underworld, was an invaluable source for my research to write Harlem Queen. The books Isabelle and I refer to are: LaShawn Harris’s Sex Workers, Psychics, and Numbers Runners Shirley Stewart's The World of Stephanie St. Clair I could ALWAYS use your help to pay the folks who help me make these incredible stories. Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! Keep in touch by subscribing to my newsletter! https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 1 of "Bayou's Wrath"
bonusHi! I am researching and writing new episodes of "Harlem Queen" AND raising money to make a full season. Yay! If you would like to become a Patreon Patron, here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/c/harlemqueen Thank you! In the meantime, check out this series that I helped produce! titled "Bayou's Wrath". Thank you! Bayou's Wrath by Anita Williams When an unexpected visitor and a cryptic coin surface at Heritage Appraisals, strange occurrences set the sisters, Leah and Michelle, on edge. All of which hint at long-buried secrets tied to their ancestral home - Providence Manor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TRAILER of "What Happened in Skinner"
bonusHi! While I am working on more episodes of "Harlem Queen", you may enjoy listening to this series that I enjoy listening to titles, "What Happened in Skinner". whathappenedinskinner.com. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TRAILER of "Bayou's Wrath"
bonus"Bayou's Wrath" is here! Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TRAILER of "Booker & Olivia" by William Sutphin
bonusWhile I am putting together more episodes of "Harlem Queen", please enjoy listening to "Booker & Olivia" by William Sutphin! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 4S4 EP4 - Madame Stephanie St. Clair's Trial (Season Finale)
This episode tells the tale of Stephanie's trial. This season’s special sponsor is Harlem Brewing headed by the first black woman beer brewer, Celeste Beatty. Get ready for Harlem Brewing’s Harlem themed taproom in Brixton. That’s Brixton in London. This episode was edited by Jordan Kauling, sound designed by Xperience J., Emanie White -Heard is our audio engineer. "Harlem Queen" theme music composed by Jason Moran. Produced, written and directed by Yhane Washington Smith. This episode featured: Gabrielle Adkins Marie-Francoise Theodore Bob Raymunda Jeff VanDreason Emerald Toller Peter Killy Luke Slattery Journey Brown-Saintel Tom Smith Emilio Smith Nina Smith Yhane Washington Smith If you are able, please donate to my Patreon: Patreon.com/harlemqueen Thank you! Read my newsletter: https://harlemqueen.substack.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yhane.writes.audio/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices