Listen Now

Tania and her guest comedian and OUT Chicago host Scott Duff talk all things Drag Race. They explore the intersection of race, identity, sexuality, gender, bias, evolution, revolution, making mistakes, making amends and ALL the tea about this iconic show. You don't have to be a fan to get something out of this episode BUT you will likely be a fan when you're through.  Follow @taniastake on Instagram Scott Duff @scottdangerduff on Instagram OUT Chicago Sundays 11-1 (CST) on WCPT 820 AM 

What would you do if someone told you they wanted to strangle you and meant it as a compliment? Tania shares a story about a wild micro-aggression she experienced in an Aqua Zumba class. AND she tells another story about a wrong she made into a right. Find out how Tania responded in both cases and what she learned. Take aways include how you can engage in small acts of activism that have a big impact.  Follow @taniastake on Instagram

Tania speaks with Traci Thomas the host and producer of @thestackspodcast about what it takes to run a business, work life balance, setting attainable goals, reading tips and briefly but so importantly The Bachelor! Rate, Review, Subscribe! Follow Tania @taniastake You can listen to Traci's podcast at The Stacks In this episode Traci mentions: Invisible Child by Andre Elliott For ebooks and audiobooks Scribbed   Acuity for online scheduling  

Tania talks about her top five celebrity memoirs of 2022. Hello, Molly by Molly Shannon, I was better last night by Harvey Fierstein, This Time for Me by Alexandra Billings Finding Me by Viola Davis Surviving the White Gaze: A Memoir by cultural critic Rebecca Carroll. Themes include diversity, equity, inclusion, the search for belonging and chosen family. Tania settles the score on audiobooks vs books. PLUS she reads an excerpt from her upcoming memoir Black Girl in a White Suburb. Follow Tania @taniastake on Instagram  Rate, review, subscribe wherever you find the podcast. 

Part II is my conversation with director Lili-Anne Brown. As a Black director who directed five plays nationwide this past season Lili-Anne brings a unique perspective on the state of American Theatre. Part I  Approximate Timestamps: 14:00 Should a person of color head a predominantly white institution? 28:00 Tania talks about her successful collaboration as the DEI Rehearsal Consultant for Goodman Theatre's production of Life After. 38:00 Does white leadership mean an institution is broken? 45:00 Actors have PTSD 56:00 Open letter to New York Time Theatre Critic Jesse Green @taniastake on Instagram Gyrls in the Hood     Become a Hood Angel and be a holiday blessing to a young woman  

In Part I of two parts Tania talks about the importance of assessing the current state of American theatre and where it is going since the summer of George Floyd and the document We See You White American Theater was released. Then she shares a POV timeline of events she has read about, witnessed or experienced in the theatre community since 2020 in an effort to give context and to encourage theatre practitioners from all over the country to do the same. Part 2 coming out next week includes a conversation with director Lili-Anne Brown who has traveled all over the country this year directing 5 productions with predominantly Black casts. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you get notification as soon as the episode goes up. Follow Tania @taniastake on Instagram Contact Tania at www.taniarichard.com if you create your own POV timeline and she'll add it to the spread sheet.  We See You White American Theater

Tania and her sister Gina talk all things Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with NO SPOILER ALERTS. You'll also hear about horizontal racism, what it means to be an ensemble actor, Tania's reaction to a video of Chadwick Boseman predicting his future and Leticia Wright's (Shuri) emotional journey. Tania rants about why Angela Bassett doesn't have an Oscar and why Winston Duke (M'Baku) isn't a mega star. They honor Chadwick Boseman, recall seeing the first Black Panther and more.  

Tania reflects on current events including Buffalo, NY, Roe vs. Wade and the baby formula shortage. She talks about being in action vs reaction and recommends various organizations that need immediate support.  Planned Parenthood New Moms Target baby registry  Follow me @taniastake on Instagram  You can support Tania's Take at Buy Me A Coffee Please like, subscribe rate and review on your podcast platform

How did a group of friends singing Beatles songs turn into white women insisting on singing negro spirituals and Civil Rights songs? Tania's sister Gina shares an outrageous story about a singing group that descended into a pit of casual racism and micro-aggressions for the record books. How did Gina handle it? Why does stuff like this keep happening? What do we need white women to do when it's happening? A classic example of casual racism in a social setting with all the usual players. Gentrification and opportunity hoarding is discussed too. This is a must listen episode; two Black women honestly talking about experiencing the Wild Wild West of "best intentions" gone wrong. Celebrate Gina speaking her truth in the moment and in this conversation. And learn the urgent importance of tasty chips and guacamole.    I mention this Tania's Take episode on Transracial Adoption   I also mention my friend's podcast When We Were Young   Follow me @taniastake on Instagram   Please subscribe, rate, review and share Tania's Take

In this mini episode Tania talks about being a Black, female, teacher and her experience with the only Black teacher she ever had. She also shares historic news from her daughter's school district and reviews Molly Shannon's new book "Hello, Molly".     Follow @taniastake on Instagram

Tania celebrates Ketanji Brown Jackson's historic confirmation while roasting the Republican Senators who voted against her. Make no mistake their choice is a display of upholding white supremacy. Tania explains why. A special tribute at the end. CORRECTION: The final vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson was 53 Yay/47 Nay. In the episode Tania says 47-3 by mistake. ---- ***For a deeper dive on the difference between racism, being a racist, white supremacy and being a white supremacist listen to this  episode of Tania's Take.   Follow @taniastake on Instagram Please like, follow, subscribe and rate Tania's Take on all platforms.         

Tania shares her take on Ketanji Brown Jackson's "performance" at her Supreme Court Justice hearing and all the opinions on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. In this mini episode Tania's perspective will leave you with things to think about and action items as you go about your business. Plus she has a book recommendation! @taniastake on Instagram Like, Rate, Subscribe, Review

Tania and podcaster Cheryl Graeff (Friends I'm no longer friends with) use the final episode of "And just like that..." to unpack the Magical Negro trope, "woke" vs. "being awake", patriarchy, the basis of white supremacy and more. Did the AJLT writers' attempt to integrate new characters succeed? And what needs to happen in writers' rooms moving forward? Something for everyone in this episode especially writers and content creators.  Please follow, subscribe, rate and review @taniastake on Instagram Friends I'm no longer friends with

TW: Just kidding unless you need a trigger warning to hear two women speak openly and honestly about menopause. Episode 9 of "And just like that..." sparked a conversation between Tania and fellow podcaster Cheryl Graeff (Friends I'm no longer friends with) about their experience with menopause. What exactly is menopause? When does it start? Sweet God, when does it end? Also, what's PMDD? Why is menopause a punchline in our culture?  What's a vagina workshop? What about sex? And how is Tania supposed to find time for alternate remedies and solutions when she's exhausted by 7pm.? We have questions and some answers with plenty of laughs along the way.  NEWCOMERS! This is not a usual episode. If you are seeking episodes focused more on antiracism here are a few of my favorites: How to be an antiracist by Ibram X Kendi pros and cons The Difference between a racist, a white supremacist, racism and upholding white supremacy Follow, rate and subscribe please! Follow @taniastake on Instagram Cheryl's podcast: Friends I'm no longer friends with Resources mentioned on the episode: Whole Health Chicago A Black Woman's Guide to Menopause

Tania uses episode 8 of "And just like that..." to talk about inclusion, writing archetypes vs real humans, the notion of "coming out" or just living one's life not getting lulled back to sleep when it comes to antiracism and dismantling systems, gaslighting 101, the Trump administration and toppling white supremacy. All that in a 22 minute episode. Podcaster Cheryl Graeff (Friends I'm no longer friends with) joins Tania for this intersectional, educational and funny conversation.  Follow Tania @taniastake Support Tania and find essays and antiracism content on Buy me a Coffee For information on antiracism consultations and workshops  Friends I'm no longer friends with  

Tania's back on the mic talking about the "Sex and the City" reboot "And just like that..." It's the perfect opportunity to examine a pop culture moment through the lens of race. Is the new series' attempt to be more intersectional and inclusive a success? How do you collaborate in a diverse collective and keep power dynamics in check? What do Tania and her guest Cheryl Graeff (NEW podcast "Friends I'm no longer friends with") think about how the series is handling aging? Join Tania and Cheryl in the next few weeks as they discuss the remaining two episodes. And stay with Tania's Take for new episodes on race, culture and the culture of race.    11:40 What Tania thinks happened in the Writer's Room 16:52 What's the difference between cultural appropriation vs. cultural appreciation? 22:00 How do Tania and Cheryl navigate getting older? 25: What would Tania have pitched in the writer's room of "And just like that..."? Follow Tania @taniastake on Instagram  For information on antiracism education and workshops go to www.taniarichard.com Support Tania's work at "Buy Me A Coffee"

There is so much in this episode it's best to share the topics covered: Beyonce, Barbara Streisand, Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, iconography, what makes an icon?, Peter Frechette, theatre, writing, playwriting, inclusion, BIPOC, LGBTQIA plus representation in theatre and film, tropes, writing hacks that use marginalized characters as devices to make white, cisgender, heteronormative characters more interesting or forgivable, being ones authentic self, why gay people can play straight but straight people shouldn't play gay, BIPOC and LGBTQIA plus supporting characters who we want to see with their own shows, agency, what we will no longer do as artists, advice to writers who want to write for characters from marginalized groups and the future of theatre. Tania and Mitchell also discuss a play they both were in where the gay and Black characters are misused and misrepresented, plus in a moment of healing, Tania shares for the first time an experience she had doing a play that was full of micro-aggressions that created a hostile work environment. This whole discussion serves as a cautionary tale for storytellers across all genres moving forward. Mitchell J. Fain is an actor and activist with 30 years of experience in theatre, improvisation, circus performance and teaching. He is the cohost of The Queer View with Alexandra Billings. His credits include The Santa Land Diaries, The Red Line, Into the Breeches, Midnight Circus and more.  Here are a few quotes from the episode: "We are not tropes and our lives are huge...Just because you're not invited to the gay club or barbecue doesn't mean it doesn't happen." Mitchell J. Fain "Don't desex me. Sex isn't just about sex. Since sex is the one thing that everyone thinks separates queer people from straight people, then you don't get to take it away from me. Don't take away the fullness of an existence." Mitchell J. Fain  "You don't get to control my narrative." Tania Richard "I will only show up as my full, authentic self." Tania Richard If you want exclusive bonus content for this episode as well as access to antiracism educational content, original essays, cultural commentary, pop culture deep dives and comedy become a member at Buy Me A Coffee. Follow @taniastake on Instagram @mjf1600 on Instagram  The Queer View  with Mitchell J. Fain and Alexandra Billings  

"To celebrate, honor and AVENGE Nell Carter." That is Tania's mission in this bonus episode of Tania's Take. Tania and her guest Steven Strafford discuss Ms. Carter's genius. They talk about her sitcom Gimme A Break, her amazing performances across genres and consider why she has never received the flowers she deserves. They also talk about being performers, the science of comedy, falling in love with theatre and performance during their formative years, addiction, race, body image and a performance of Nell Carter's at the 1992 Golden Globes that Tania is determined to avenge. Yes, the words "F*** Michelle Pfeiffer" are spoken. Twice. Find out why. Tania shares a regret that she has related to Nell Carter and a revelation. AND there's even some valuable take aways on how to be an antiracist and how to challenge your bias.  08:45 old school comedy 16:38 our talk about Nell kicks off   32:15 Nell's career trajectory that led to Gimme A Break 40:59 The Golden Globes story 58:57 how to be inclusive and unbiased If you liked this episode you can show your support and Buy Me A Coffee OR if you become a member at Buy me a Coffee you will have exclusive access to a video  of the the episode recording session with clips of the performances mentioned.  Follow @taniastake on Instagram Steve Strafford mentions his solo show Methtacular. Here is the link www.methtacular.com/show/ Twitter @stevenstrafford

Tania shares her reasons for going on hiatus with the podcast. She has a message for BIPOC activists and a call to action for accomplices who are ready to take it to the next level of antiracism. What are her thoughts on the Derek Chauvin verdict? What revelation did she have after the murder of Ma'Khia Bryant? What inspirational quote does she share with listeners and what does she have coming up? All that in under 15 minutes! Tania will stay active on Instagram @taniastake

Tania speaks with Chelsea Devantez a comedian and podcaster who is also the head writer for Jon Stewart's new show on Apple TV. Chelsea's podcast is The Celebrity Book Club Podcast . She has a diverse set of authors and guests on the show and created a submission process for hiring Jon Stewart's writing staff that removed obstacles and broadened the net. We talk about how Chelsea is inclusive, intersectional in her life and work and we break down how she does it so listeners can apply actionable items to do the same. We need to be the change we want to see in the world and this episode gives you steps for your antiracist journey.  @18:48 bursting bubbles to create inclusion @26:14 personal stories as the key to intersectional understanding @30:43 being open to feedback @36:19 on comedy; pushing boundaries while respecting others @40 removing obstacles: The submission process for Jon Stewart's new show