The New Media Collective

The audio component of Mandrake Society is Mandrake Society Radio. Why the need for a podcast? What differences have you found to exist in each medium?
For me, the difference of blogging versus podcasting is the unique expression of writing a book for others to read versus wanting to write a song to be sung. Songwriting allows you to lay the picture out by giving the listener some colors to see (hear), while blogging, like reading books, lets your mind find its own colors. That’s my take anyway.

Explain the name "Mandrake." What's the meaning behind it, and what's the focus of your blog and podcast?
My blog began as a search for social and spiritual community. Together with the podcasts, I’m working through my ideas and conferring with other people around me about connecting that community where I live.

The mandrake herb (also known as Mandragora Officinaris) has been known to, among other things, arouse passion between lovers and as a narcotic to aid women in giving birth. Similarly, same-gender-loving people of darker-skinned heritages have also been around since times of old, regardless of its relatively new perception in the African American mainstream media. The passion of these men and women to reconnect with, and preserve their communities for future generations has given birth to many of American history’s most powerful stories and experiences. Thus the phrase I use on the site, “make love—give birth—change your community” is really a call to self-acceptance and self-determination.

Your show has a very professional tone, and you have the nicest speaking voice—very soothing. Do you have a background in radio? How did you learn about podcasting?
I became familiar with podcasting in February of 2005 through Terrance Heath’s podcasts at EchoDitto. I was intrigued by the idea of creating programs that someone could download and listen to anywhere. I did a year of professional radio in Dallas soon after graduating college, but didn’t go further in it at the time because it was all about news and I wanted to do music. Podcasting was like returning to that world and controlling my own content.

You feature the most interesting and unique music on your shows; you also interview many of the original artists. How do you find this music? Do you have a musical background?
As far as my musical tastes are concerned, blame it on my parents. Seriously! From Smokey & the Miracles to James Brown to Bee Gees to Rufus & Chaka Khan—my parents enjoyed quite a bit of music. I took that love of music and ran with it, adding to it a love for a cappella music, as well as jazz. I’ve performed in several groups and choirs. Some of my stuff is still available (under the band’s names) on iTunes and CD Baby.com.

One main concern for podcasters is using music legally. Well, I choose to a) write many of the artists directly to use their music, b) use music that’s licensed with Creative Commons licenses from sites like Magnatune.com, and c) interview the artists personally whenever I can. I’ve always been a bit of a promoter for new and interesting music, so it satisfies that interest as well.

You've created a community site for podcasters of color called Digital Drums. What inspired you to put this project together?
From the Kwanzaa concept of umoja, or unity, I wanted to create a place that would allow for an exchange of ideas with African-influenced people, regardless of their current country of residence, religion, or sexual orientation. As the podcasters (the drummers) tell their stories using audio and/or video media, my hope is that a dialogue can be shared between other podcasters and among podcast listeners.

As an person of color, how do you feel about the digital divide? Do you believe it's closing? If not, what do you believe can, or should, be done about it, and who's responsibility is it to bridge the gap?
Looking at the statistics of internet users for two main Black-owned and operated sites that are popular in Dallas (Dallas Black and Black America Web), I would say that professional African American women between 35 and 50 are definitely leading the men in using new media (including podcasting and internet magazines).

In the spirit of ujima, or collective work and responsibility, African Americans have an opportunity to provide public access to computers for our children, as well as for adults. I believe we should have community computer & media places that serve as sources of access and social interaction. These places could provide for learning, as well as entertainment. If the spending power of African Americans is truly what it is reported to be, then it is simply a matter of making it a priority among ourselves in our communities.

Even when it comes to my podcasts, I’m always posting direct links to my shows every place I can. Yes, I would like for people to become proper subscribers to the show using my RSS feed, but I understand that the medium of podcasting (and even blogging to some degree) is still new to many people. So, for me, it’s important for people to come to my site and “taste and see” that the opportunity to hear new programming (and the medium itself) is good by providing the direct link, as well as links to various places on the net that you can stream or download the show in hopes that one of the places will be the best for the listener to access the program.

Tell us about JW Richard outside of the blogosphere. What's your life like in the real world?
I love hearing good live music (especially jazz), as well as seeing independent films in my area. I volunteered with OUT TAKES Dallas last year and will probably do so again this year, as well as working with the Dallas Southern Pride committee. I’m a vegetarian of about two years, so I’m always experimenting in the kitcken. Some efforts with tofu are laudible, and some efforts make you scream, “LAWDY!” And though I enjoy sports such as soccer and volleyball, I’ve not made the time to be a part of a local league—yet.

So, what's next for you? Are there any new media worlds for you to conquer?
I’d love to develop Mandrake Society Radio as an FM radio program with supplements to that program available in podcast form. I also have script ideas for theater that I want to develop. There also may be new music coming down the pipe. Keep your ears to the ground.