When I started the Blackbelt Voices podcast, I wasn’t chasing numbers or trying to go viral. I wasn’t thinking about algorithms or search rankings. I simply wanted to make space for Black Southerners to tell our stories in our own voices and on our own terms. I wanted to shine a light on the kinds of experiences I grew up with in central Arkansas — the ones that don’t make headlines but still shape who we are.
Even after the podcast started getting national attention with mentions in Oprah Daily, Vanity Fair, and Apple Podcasts’ “New & Noteworthy,” I still found myself downplaying it. I’d say it was just a side project; something I did for fun.
It took me a while to recognize that instinct for what it was. I’ve always believed storytelling has the power to bring about change, and I set out to build a podcast — and eventually a business — with that belief as the foundation. Even with a clear vision and professional goals, however, I still find myself downplaying the work, often setting it aside for other responsibilities that feel more urgent or easier to explain.
But here’s the thing: if we don’t tell our stories, who will?
Storytelling has always helped us make sense of the world. It’s how we learn about ourselves, understand one another, and stay connected across time and place. It’s how we push back against dominant narratives that don’t always include us. It’s both a form of resistance and a source of inspiration. It lets us say, “This story matters too.”
And sometimes, how a story is told matters just as much as the story itself.
Blackbelt Voices was originally going to be a blog. But during one of my early interviews, a guest got emotional. Her voice cracked. Her breath caught. And I realized her story needed to be heard, not just written down. That’s when the blog became a podcast. Because the voice carries things the written word sometimes cannot.
If you’re someone who shares stories — through podcasting, blogging, video, or any other medium — I hope you don’t underestimate what you’re doing. When it’s done with care and intention, you’re not just making content; you’re building connection, preserving truth, and creating space that didn’t exist before.
And somewhere, someone is finding their voice because you chose to use yours.
Author’s Note:
I’m excited to lend my voice to commentary pieces here on PodcastVideos.com. In this space, I’ll be sharing reflections on content creation, including finding your voice, navigating imposter syndrome, building community through storytelling, and honoring the stories only you can tell. I’m looking forward to the conversations ahead.
Email me at: adena@blackbelt.media
Adena J. White is the founder of Blackbelt Media, a social-impact, strategic communications consultancy that shapes narratives grounded in purpose, place, and possibility. Blackbelt Media produces Blackbelt Voices, a nationally recognized podcast rooted in the Black South and its traditions of storytelling and solidarity, resilience and resistance.
