Episodes

Host Desiréia Valteau opens up for the first time about the Eaton Fire and the loss of her family's Altadena home in January 2025. (Altadena is a small community in Los Angeles county). This powerful episode explores trauma, grief, and the long road toward healing after devastation.

On November 14, 1960, four six-year-old girls – Ruby Bridges, Gail Etienne, Tessie Prevost, and Leona Tate – made history by desegregating public schools in New Orleans. Collectively, they became known as the “New Orleans Four.”

Jazz guitarist Garry Percell takes center stage with his remake of the classic slow jam, “Going In Circles.” Collaborating with singer Tony Terry, Percell and Terry breathe new life into this timeless song.

In this episode, we’re joined by Janine Coveney—a veteran magazine editor, journalist, creative writer, and cultural commentator. We discuss her movie podcast, her contributions to the bestselling book series, “Women Behind The Mic” and her illustrious career in media and entertainment.

We delve into the remarkable journey of renowned jazz saxophonist, Donald Harrison, often hailed as the “father of Omniverse music.” Born and raised in New Orleans, Harrison’s musical prowess transcends eras, genres, and boundaries.

Nyla Choates is an inspiring youth activist, entrepreneur, and author. The 19-year-old founded a nonprofit that takes a proactive stance against systemic racism.

Saxophonist Andre Ward, who has been on the contemporary jazz scene for over 25 years, joins Underground Magnolia Podcast to talk about his latest album, "Africa Rising," featuring a retelling of Sade's 1992 hit, "Kiss of Life."

Lenny Green, the host of the popular syndicated radio show, “The Quiet Storm with Lenny Green,” stops by the podcast to discuss the genre and more.

Taliah Givens, Senior Director of the United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) Student Professional Development Programs, joins Underground Magnolia to tell listeners all about the organization's Invitational Student Leadership Conference.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and on this episode, Tyra Valteau Sorapuru, a Mental Wellness Coach and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 30 years, joins in to discuss effective tools for all around healthy living, especially for African Americans.

Host/producer, Desireia Valteau, is back with Part 4 of the long-awaited edition to the series, "Chasing DNA & Family Roots: Being Creole (Louisiana)." Desireia interviews a professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, the renowned HBCU in New Orleans, to discuss this controversial topic.

Send us Fan Mail Jazz pianist, bandleader, and educator Hey Rim joins this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast (recorded Dec 2022) to talk about her latest album "Groovitude," that's packing a punch on the jazz charts. Listen in as we discuss: Why the album's dedicated to her father Standard jazz songs, original music, and Korean songs featuredWorking with Grammy-winning jazz drummer Terri Lyne CarringtonHow famed jazz pianist Oscar Peterson turned her on to jazz while growing...

After a decade plus recording absence, jazz bandleader/drummer T.S. Monk discusses his new live album “Two Continents, One Groove” and the continued legacy of his father, jazz legend Thelonious Monk.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast, Doctor Bob Lee discusses: His longstanding career at WBLS, one of the most influential radio stations in the nation and the Black community.Being the President, Founder & CEO of the Make the Grade Foundation (https://makethegrade4u.org/), a non-profit that provides mentoring, tutoring, and aid to students of all ages in the NY tri-state area.Being the author of several books that elevate African Americans and ot...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast features Lorraine Lionheart, a singer and songwriter heating up the global music scene. Hailing from Botswana in Southern Africa and based in the UK, she boasts a sound that fuses traditional African music with contemporary Afropop. The sexy singer already has four independent albums and several singles under her belt that explore a new-ish African beat called amapiano. In addition to her music, Lorraine is a scholar, who is...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Underground Magnolia Podcast, Cynthia Hardy discusses how to excel in business, especially for Black Women, Women, and People of Color, Cynthia is the CEO and Founder of the Atlanta-based Pivot Global Partners. Her company is a global professional service firm offering, “change design and implementation services to mid-sized and larger organizations." Pivot Global raises a company’s performance, focusing on culture, organizational design, chang...

The legend - Melba Moore - discusses appeal to younger audiences, her new song, and her illustrious career: over 20 albums since 1970, being a Broadway star, and champion for civil rights.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, real estate broker Caitlin Coakley breaks down the complicated real estate market that’s been hot for sellers but has put buyers in a tailspin. Based in the greater Seattle area, Caitlin is a third-generation realtor with 15 years of experience. She even obtained her real estate license in Washington state while still in high school. This go-getter has since risen through the ranks to found her own real estate company with her family called The Coakley ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode features astrological predictions and insights for the New Year with modern mystic Lani Moran, the founder of Astrocast, who is also a sought-after open format DJ and content creator. Astrocast Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astro.cast/ Website: https://www.astrocastofficial.com/ Contact: Underground Magnolia website: (https://www.undergroundmagnolia.com/) Instagram: @UMPodcastDV (https://www.instagram.com/umpodcastdv/) Twitter: @UMPodcastDV (...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with Dr. LaReesa Ferdinand, a board-certified OB/GYN for close to twenty years and the founder and CEO of The Estrogen Doctor company (based in the Greater Orlando, Florida area). We will tackle topics including (in this order): Differences between women over 40 and women under 40. Helping women live not just longer but fulfilled lives with energy and vitality.Menstruation (What about period panties?).The different phases of M...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, Tommy Miles, the host of the popular OWN network show "Ready To Love," talks about the new season in D.C. , love connections on the show, dating tips, and how to make a marriage work. Nephew Tommy also discusses his new venture - a grits company, Just Good Gritz (https://justgoodgritz.com/). Contact: Underground Magnolia website: (https://www.undergroundmagnolia.com/) Instagram: @UMPodcastDV (https://www.instagram.com/umpodcastdv/) Twitter: @UMP...

Send us Fan Mail This episode highlights Rae Shaw, the director and screenwriter of the upcoming web series Black Kung Fu Chick. Set in South Los Angeles, the web series is about a young African American girl (played by up-and-coming actress Taylor Polidore), who needs guidance with achieving her goal of becoming a doctor. One of her teacher's (played by Chinese actor Peter Boon Koh) gives her the boost she needs to reach her dreams both professionally and personally. The series premier...

Send us Fan Mail This episode highlight's Ella's Eve Cosmetics, an e-commerce makeup brand founded by sisters Melissa Polanco and Lissa Martinez. Polanco and Martinez are proud Latinas repping their Dominican heritage in an industry that is offering up more and more beauty brands by Women of Color for Women of Color. The host catches up with Polanco to discuss how the company started, the importance of Latina and WOC owned beauty brands, the company's products, and the significanc...

Send us Fan Mail This third part episode features Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, who served as host of PBS’ History Detectives from 2003-2011. The Professor of Sociology & Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania does a deep dive regarding the complexity of race and identity. He takes DNA tests to task and even goes so far to say that they are a "joke" and are NOT the answer to finding one's roots. Listen now to this lively and controversial conversation. Music (in the order it...