Unbought and Unbossed: Joy-Ann Reid on Independent Black Media

In a moment when major media companies are bending to power and silencing truth-tellers, Joy-Ann Reid is building something different. Fresh from her historic run as cable's first Black woman to host a primetime news program, Joy joins the class to talk about getting fired on her day off, launching The Joy Ann Reid Show the very next day, and what it really means to refuse fear in the face of autocracy.

This conversation goes deep—from the behind-the-scenes call that ended The ReidOut, to standing firm when Trump targets you by name, to why your voice is the one thing they can never take. Joy breaks down the business of building independent Black media, the freedom that comes from owning your platform, and why resistance starts with refusing to be silent.

If you've ever wondered what courage looks like in practice, or how to keep fighting when institutions fail us, this is your episode.

Show Notes:

• Follow Joy Ann Reid: The Joy Ann Reid Show | Substack: joyannreid.com
• Read Joy's books including Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America
• Support independent Black journalism and subscribe to Joy's platforms

This episode of Teach the Babies features candid conversation about serious topics. The discussion includes:

• Strong language (we believe in authentic conversation)
• Detailed accounts of sudden job loss and workplace trauma
• Discussion of threats and intimidation from political figures, including threats of arrest and imprisonment
• References to police violence against Black people
• Discussion of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and violence against Palestinians
• Frank talk about media censorship and institutional failures

Why We're Not Sanitizing This Conversation:
At Teach the Babies, we believe our community—especially our young people—deserves to hear truth-telling in its full complexity. Joy Ann Reid's story and voice represent the courage and clarity we need now. We trust you to engage with this content in ways that serve your own well-being while honoring the importance of what's being said.

Take care of yourself: If you need to pause, step away, or return to this episode when you're ready, that's completely valid. Your well-being matters.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/teach-the-babies-w-dr-david-j-johns--6173854/support.