The Red & Black Podcasts

The Belong ticket won the University of Georgia Student Government Association election Friday. The ticket consists of Carter Marks, Jasmine Gresham and Shelly Chummar. News contributor Ellie Shafer breaks down the election and what to expect from the executive ticket-elect. Digital producer Sarah Detwiler hosts.

Georgia baseball won its opening series Sunday, Feb. 21 against Evansville. The team has had to handle losing top players to the MLB Draft and COVID-19 adjustments. Sports editor Austin Roper and managing editor William Newlin talk about their observations and the team's future. Digital producer Sarah Detwiler hosts.

This week's podcast previews the February print issue of The Red & Black, which focuses on gender and sexuality at the University of Georgia and in Athens. Stories include the lack of women coaches in Georgia sports and a column about being a queer journalist. Editor-in-chief Sherry Liang and managing editor William Newlin talk about the paper's theme, while assistant sports editors Drew Hubbard and Sydney Kohne talk about the lack of women coaches. Digital producer Sarah Detwiler hosts.

University of Georgia students like junior Chris Lim invested in GameStop in January. The video game retailer's stock surged after small-time investors bought shares to show their strength against hedge funds. In this episode, digital producer Sarah Detwiler interviews Lim and reporters Emily Garcia and Sydney Dangremond, who wrote about UGA students' involvement in the stock surge.

In the 1960s, UGA destroyed Linnentown - a historically Black community - to make way for Creswell, Russel and Brumby Hall. In this week's episode, reporter Henry Queen talks to Hattie Thomas Whitehead about her experience living in Linnentown and why members of the community are speaking out.

Local Athens record shops Wuxtry Records and Low Yo Yo Stuff records have worked to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 and corporatization of the record store industry. In this week's episode, contributor Andrew Benzinger discusses his story on how the shops have managed their business.

The Georgia men's basketball season is underway with the Bulldogs winning their first game of the season 85-75 against Florida A&M on Nov. 29. This week, we talk with sports editor Andy Walsh about how this season's team will fill the void left by Anthony Edwards and adjust to COVID-19 impacting the schedule.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Black community in Athens. Despite only one-third of the Athens population being Black, the majority of hospitalizations are Black people.

The early summer protests and COVID-19 pandemic had reversing effects on the Black-owned business sector in the United States. In this episode, bakeries in Northeast Georgia, which are referred to as "third places" — the locations that consumers visit between work and home that were adversely impacted by the pandemic — discuss the impact of both events on their revenue, customer base and business model.

We're joined by Red & Black Football Writers Augusta Stone, William Newlin and Austin Roper to talk about what to look out for as the Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa, and how our writers think the game will go. We go over the biggest matchup of the day: Alabama's offense and UGA's defense. We also go into a smaller — no, bigger! — section of this matchup: Alabama's offensive line against UGA's front seven. Austin Roper believes this game will be won or lost in the trenches, and he makes his case for why. We also discuss how Nick Saban potentially not being on the sideline could affect the game. No more than 10 minutes after recording, news came out that Saban might be on the sideline at kickoff. We left the conversation in because it's still possible Saban is not allowed to coach, and our conversation asks some interesting questions: How much does an absent head coach affect a team? Is it fair to put an asterisk on the game if Georgia wins? Which team is this game more important to?

This week, instead of an X’s and O’s football preview, we speak with our Editor in Chief and football beat writer Augusta Stone about UGA Football’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Augusta’s story this week details the program’s response. Here, we talk about how players have spoken out apart from their program, and what that means.

This week, we speak with News Assistant Foster Steinbeck about what’s happening in the State House of Representatives District 117 race. A recent survey from a market research group named "The Voter Survey," had a series of questions undermining Mokah Jasmine Johnson’s campaign. Republican Incumbent Houston Gaines, released a statement on Facebook saying his campaign has not conducted any polling this election cycle. The consultancy, "The Voter Survey," has only existed online since this May. On Facebook, the consultancy’s page has only one follower, no substantive posts and a dead end website. We talk with Foster about his research into the consultancy, and what the reactions have been within the District 117 race.

This week, we did some socially distanced, open air on the street reporting, talking to students about their experiences with the new dining hall systems. The generally constructive answers surprised us, as freshmen and non-freshmen alike found bright spots in UGA Dining Services handling of the situation. We've already covered the logistical changes to dining on campus, so this show is focused on students' reactions and opinions.

This week, we discuss the University of Georgia's reopening with two professors who signed onto the recent faculty petition condemning the move. Dr. Mark Ebell, epidemiology and biostatistics director at UGA's College of Public Health, and Dr. Amy Trauger, professor in UGA's Department of Geography, each give their thoughts on the university's reopening.

Today, we discuss what you need to know about the University of Georgia's return to campus plans for fall 2020. We touch on UGA's class attendance policies, back-up plans, residence hall changes, Georgia football, bus routes and more — and how COVID-19 is affecting all of it. To listen to our news editor talk about COVID-19 precautions in classrooms, attendance policies and about the dining halls, listen at 1:13. To listen to our special publications social media editor discuss policies at the residence halls, listen at 16:34. Listen to our assistant news editor discuss about changed bus routes at 20:20. Finally, listen to our sports editor talk about he knows so far about UGA Football at 22:38.

From COVID-19 to protests, our summer staff has been nothing short of busy while working remotely. This week, we’re re-capping our summer podcast episodes with The Red & Black’s Editor-in-Chief and managing editor. We’ll revisit some of our most important episodes and give you updates on pressing topics such as the status of bars in Athens and the University of Georgia's fall semester. Click the link to listen, or hear us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

AthFest Music & Arts festival took over downtown Athens every June for 23 years. For the first time in AthFest history, AthFest weekend — what was supposed to be the weekend of June 25-28 — was void of the music, food and fundraising that had become an annual tradition in Athens due to COVID-19. On today’s episode, culture editor Anna Thomas speaks with four people involved with the annual AthFest festival.

Today, we’re hearing from three former Georgia Bulldogs who were planning on participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The worldwide event was postponed for the first time since World War II due to COVID-19. While the event was rescheduled for 2021, a lot can happen in a year for athletes. From the sports desk, sports editor William Newlin and digital producer Jasmina Charania spoke with former UGA athletes about the postponement and how their plans have been affected.

We’re hearing from Black activists who are leading the protests movement in Athens in today’s episode. Nationwide protests have continued for more than a month, calling for racial justice and support for the Black Lives Matter movement. On a local level, Black women continue to step up as leaders of the activism movement in Athens. Enterprise editor Anila Yoganathan and news assistant Gabriela Miranda spoke with UGA sociology student Ashley Crooks-Allen and county commissioner Mariah Parker about their activism and about intersectionality in the movement.

We’re breaking down the University of Georgia’s virtual new student orientation. For most UGA students, attending orientation is their first step on campus as a college student. A night of summer camp away from home. It’s their first taste of dining hall food, their first chance to take part in UGA’s traditions. It’s where orientees get to jump in the iconic North Campus fountain, where they learn how to “Call the Dawgs” and where they make some of their first lasting memories in Athens. But due to COVID-19, this program had to move entirely online. We talked to an orientation leader and an incoming freshman about their online orientation experience.

June is usually a month to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising and the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage. But with the nationwide fight for racial justice and COVID-19 safety concerns, this year’s Pride Month looks a little different. We spoke with two Black LGBTQ UGA students to reflect on this month and on intersectionality.

We’re revisiting a feat that has only happened once in the history of University of Georgia history. The Red & Black sports editor, William Newlin, reported the story on the 30 year anniversary of when the Diamond Dogs won the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The team hasn't been able to take home the championship title since that fateful day in early June 1990.

Protests calling for racial justice and police department reform have taken place for the past two weeks in Athens. On today's episode, we talk with our photo editor, Taylor Gerlach, about her experience covering protests and our editorial policy about protesters' anonymity. Read her article about covering protests here.

Protesters have taken to the streets of Athens to call for racial justice after the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and other black Americans. On today's episode of The Front Page, we take you through Sunday, May 31 to Saturday, June 6, which were last week's two biggest protests in Athens. We spoke with a protestor who was shot by what he says were "rubber bullets," with a protestor who was tested for COVID-19 and with a brother-and-sister protesting duo who had words of advice for those who want to be better white allies.

Our news assistant Gabriela Miranda speaks with Shawntell Pace, a member of the black community at the University of Georgia, about coping with discrimination, micro-aggressions and the recent deaths affecting the black community. Pace founded The Healing Circle, a support group for black students that aims to create a communal space and offer guidance about accessing mental health services. We ask her about racism, her studies and what the black community needs right now. This podcast is featured in The Red & Black’s new series, The Minority Report. This series focuses on minority group voices and their experiences when injustices, deaths, protests and current events affect their community. Read Gabriela’s story on The Red & Black website on Tuesday, June 2.

This week, we kick off our summer coverage by talking to our enterprise editor Anila Yoganathan on her story about the changing bar scene in Athens, Georgia. Bars in town have lost $4 million in liquor and mixed drinks sales from their closures due to COVID-19. Governor Brian Kemp's executive order expires on May 31, meaning that bars could potentially re-open as soon as June 1. As that date approaches, bars in town are beginning to think about whether or not they'll re-open and how they'll continue to stay afloat. We also spoke with Jon McRae, owner of the Athens bar Sister Louisa's Church, about how he plans to stay in business and whether or not he'll re-open if he's able to after May 31. Read Anila's story here.

We have been doing a lot of COVID-19-related coverage in the past weeks, focusing on specific groups. This week, we try to collect a range of Athens-based perspectives. We speak with a business owner, a student and an Uber driver about how the pandemic has affected them and what they do.

Since the University of Georgia suspended in person instruction, some students have not been back to campus since March 6, the Friday before spring break. Other students, for a variety of reasons, have remained in their on-campus housing. This week, our guest tells us what it was like to be on an empty, socially distanced Athens campus.

This week, we speak with Gabriela Miranda, campus news editor, about how her upcoming story on how undocumented families are coping with COVID-19. Without access to healthcare or aid from the current government stimulus package, undocumented residents in Athens are lacking some of the basic protections against the pandemic. Gabriela spoke with a few families and community organizers about first hand experiences and what is being done to alleviate the stress. Look out for her story later this week.

This week, we talk to students who have had to transition from hands-on, in-person classes — music and art — to online classes. We'll see how they’ve adjusted so far and what new classes look like. We speak with three students from three different areas of study: Will Ruff studies viola and jazz; Klée Schell studies printmaking; Emma Grimsley studies fabric design. You can find each of the guests here: Will Ruff (@willruffmusic), Klée Schell (@badtoadboy), Emma Grimsley (@emma.grimsley.art)

This week, we speak with University of Georgia professors about the switch to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Professors from across disciplines talk about the challenges, or lack thereof, in switching to completely online instruction, and they focus on some silver linings of the current modes of instruction.

This week, we speak with performers in Athens about how COVID-19 and subsequent precautions are changing the way they work. Forrest Whitlark and Kelly Bouchillon of the band AFTM talk about how they are getting through after having to cancel weeks worth of shows. Plus, Evie Jones of Decaf Comedy talks about how comedians are feeling as they too cancel gigs. And, Owen Hunt of Flying Squid Comedy talks about how he and other comics are using different outlets for revenue and creativity.

This week, we speak with news editor Spencer Donovan, culture editor Savannah Sicurella and sports editor Augusta Stone about how COVID-19 is affecting each of their desks. How is the Athens government responding to the pandemic? How are businesses affected? And, what will happen as all university sports are cancelled. This episode is longer than usual, so here are the timestamps for each conversation: News: 0:33 - 8:15 Culture: 8:20 - 13:30 Sports: 13:35 - 20:03

This week we speak with enterprise reporter Sherry Liang about high schools in Georgia. Nearly a quarter of the fall 2019 freshman class came from about 20 high schools in Georgia, and every school is within 10 miles of another. We talk about where these schools are located, some demographic trends and what the students from those schools said about coming to the University of Georgia.

This week, we talk about the dedication of the new Mary Frances Early College of Education. Early, the college's namesake, was the university's first black graduate, and she is the first black person to have a school or college named after them. We speak with Staff Writer Erin Schilling, who attended the dedication.

This week, we be look into each Student Government Association ticket, diving into their platforms and informing you on who you can vote for on election day, February 26. We speak with our social media editor and SGA beat reporter Megan Mittelhammer about the tickets and the executive campaign process.

This week on The Front Page, Donnell Gresham Jr. is Georgia basketball's only graduate transfer. In addition to being the team's most senior player, Gresham Jr. started following a vegan diet shortly before becoming a bulldog. We talk about Gresham Jr.'s role on the team, and why he decided to cut animal products from his diet. We also speak with Jana Heitmeyer, director of sports nutrition for the University of Georgia Athletic Association. Heitmeyer speaks about the specifics of sports nutrition and how the program works with Gresham Jr. and other athletes.

This week on The Front Page, we talk about The Healing Circle, a support group for black women in Athens. We speak to news contributor Joshua Walker about the group. Then, we are joined by the The Healing Circle's founder Shawntell Pace and facilitator Tanisha Pelham. We speak about their perspectives on mental health and community, the mission of The Healing Circle and why they saw a need for the support group. You can find our podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

This week on The Front Page, we sit down with assistant sports editor Austin Roper to discuss his profile on Steve Eirish, the Zamboni driver for Georgia club hockey. How has a non-player become an essential part of UGA hockey game culture? We discuss Eirish's traditions, how he got to where he is today and the personality behind the Zamboni.

This week on The Front Page, we sit down with campus news editor Gabriela Miranda and talk about business in Athens. How do small businesses fare as larger companies — such as Target and Wayfair — move in? What do these larger companies see as their role in Athens? And, how are people reacting to the change? We discuss how small business owners, large company spokespeople, residents and local government view the changing Athens landscape.

On this week's episode, digital producer Kyra Posey speaks with staff writer Samantha Perez about the single sign-on failure that left students unable to view their schedule through Athena and eLearning Commons on Jan. 7, the first day of classes. In addition to outlining the problems caused by the shutdown, we discuss student reactions, issues students experienced when attempting to resister for courses through Athena in November 2019 and how the University of Georgia plans to resolve these difficulties moving forward.

On our 15th episode, sports editor Augusta Stone recaps the 2019 Georgia football season and discusses the news that quarterback Jake Fromm will enter the NFL draft.