Episodes

A cure existed—and they withheld it. We dive into the Tuskegee syphilis study to unpack how a government-backed experiment in Macon County, Alabama turned 600 Black men into data points, concealed diagnoses behind the phrase “bad blood,” and continued for 40 years even after penicillin became the standard treatment. What happened was not a misunderstanding or a relic of distant history; it was deliberate policy that traded human lives for papers, promotions, and a twisted idea of progress. We w...

Courage is easy to praise once it’s safe. We rewind to the moment Ida B. Wells made it dangerous—when a teacher-turned-writer chose evidence over comfort and forced a country to look at what it preferred to hide. From a first-class train car to the ashes of her newspaper office, we trace how humiliation as policy sparked a lifetime of investigation that documented lynching with names, dates, locations, and motives, and exposed it as a tool to crush Black economic power. We walk through the Memp...

A 21-year-old organizer taught a city how to feed children, build trust, and link struggles across race and class—and power answered with a hundred rounds. We revisit Fred Hampton’s short life and long echo, focusing on the programs he built, the alliances he forged, and the state machinery that moved to silence a rising voice. This is not a story about celebrity politics; it’s a story about breakfast lines, study groups, and a calm, disciplined kind of courage that turns neighbors into a moveme...

A massive march does not run on hope alone. We spotlight Bayard Rustin, the master strategist who turned ideals into action, mentored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in disciplined nonviolence, and quietly built the logistics that made the March on Washington both peaceful and powerful. While the cameras framed the podium, Rustin managed routes, marshals, security, timing, and a code of conduct that let the message carry across the nation without chaos. We walk through how Rustin studied Gandhi, the...

A single voice can shake a room—and sometimes a nation. We tell the story of Fannie Lou Hamer, the sharecropper who turned pain into power, and show how her fight for voting rights still defines what it means to show up at the ballot box today. From cotton fields and literacy tests to jailhouse beatings and a national convention, we trace the steps that transformed a woman dismissed by her state into a moral force that no president could silence. We walk through Hamer’s early life in Mississipp...

One mother’s decision forced a nation to look. We revisit the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till and the relentless courage of Mamie Till-Mobley, who insisted on an open casket so the country would confront what racial terror did to her 14-year-old son. From the abduction and beating to the Tallahatchie River and the iconic Jet magazine photos, we map the facts with clarity and care—then follow the ripple effects that helped light the fuse of the modern civil rights movement. We unpack the dynamics o...

A man fights segregation with a clipboard and a bullseye on his back. That’s how we frame Medgar Evers: not as a symbol carved in marble, but as a field organizer who knew the risk, did the work anyway, and paid the price in his own driveway. We walk through the danger he faced in Mississippi, the terror visited on his family, and the brutal clarity of June 12, 1963—then ask the question that lingers for decades: why did accountability take so long? We trace the early trials that stalled on all...

A lie doesn’t need proof—just timing, volume, and a platform. We pull back the curtain on a year where a “gotcha” narrative tried to turn a case into a character hit, then followed us into DMs, inboxes, and guest lists. I walk through what actually happened: the outreach that sparked this, the promises made, the traps set, and the receipts we gathered along the way. From film credits that contradict a basement story to releases, edits by later distributors, and on-record statements, we trace how...

A 15-year-old schoolgirl refused to give up her seat, cited her constitutional rights, and helped end bus segregation—yet most of us never learned her name. We pull the camera back to spotlight Claudette Colvin and unpack how courage, strategy, and bias decided who America remembers. We revisit the day Colvin stood her ground in Montgomery, then trace how her testimony in Browder v. Gale helped make bus segregation unconstitutional. Along the way we examine the messy mechanics of movement-build...

A television stage can look harmless, but in the 1950s and 60s it was a battleground. We dive into how Ed Sullivan used one of America’s biggest platforms to book Black artists with intention, even as sponsors balked and Southern affiliates threatened to cut the feed. Far from token appearances, these performances treated Mahalia Jackson, James Brown, Nina Simone, Nat King Cole, and many more as artists first—confident, respected, and central to the culture. We walk through what those choices c...

A quiet ride home didn’t change history—strategy did. We revisit Rosa Parks with clear eyes and an open record, tracing how a seasoned organizer confronted a system that turned city buses into instruments of control. From NAACP casework and Highlander training to the legal stakes of Montgomery’s racial order, we explore why her refusal was planned, risky, and perfectly timed. We walk through the machinery of segregation on wheels: the forced back-door boarding, the armed drivers, the police bac...

What happens when plans fall apart and the mic still needs to be on? We come back stronger, clearer, and committed to the work. This season kickoff shares why the last stretch went quiet, what’s different going forward, and how a tough behind-the-scenes moment taught us about grace, boundaries, and reputation. We lay out a bold plan for February: 28 daily Black History facts layered on top of our weekly show. Expect carefully researched stories that highlight both well-known and overlooked figu...

Get you copy of Sound Of Freedom The Book HERE Learn more about Paul and Liberating Humanity HERE A billionaire investor walks away from the boardroom and into the shadows to rescue children—then realizes the only way to win is to bring the dark into the light. Paul Hutchinson joins us to share how a single mission in Cartagena, where 127 kids were freed in one day, rewired his definition of success and set him on a global campaign against modern slavery. We dig into what trafficking actua...

Get your copy of Madmen HERE Learn more about M.F. Gross and his book HERE A quiet Florida beach town. A polite visitor who lingers over coffee. By afternoon, a man lies dead, his wife barely alive, and a shotgun-toting stranger vanishes into the woods. We sit down with best-selling author MF Gross to unpack the 1949 Crystal Beach murder that locals still whisper about—and the chase that turned a neighborhood horror into a regional legend. We start with the world as it was: Crystal Beach,...

The conversation explores the innovative use of AI in music creation, highlighting various artists who have embraced this technology to produce new tracks and remixes. It discusses specific examples, including David Guetta's AI-generated track and the impact of AI on the music industry. The Witch Hunt Of Lanny Hughes Here the Single here: Spotify Apple Music Pre Save the full album coming November 16, 2025 Here: Presave Time Line 00:00 Introduction and Show Updates 00:47 The Ethics of AI in M...

In this episode, David McClam discusses the tragic case of A.J. Owens, a Black mother shot by her white neighbor, Susan lorincz, through a closed door. The conversation delves into the implications of Stand Your Ground laws, racial tensions within communities, and the systemic biases present in the justice system. The episode also reflects on the emotional impact of the case on the community and the importance of addressing racism in America. Watch The Perfect Neighbor HERE Subscription Require...

This is a new project that we have been waiting on, It is some of the most important work I have done to date. This is a serious human rights epidemic that needs attention and to be brought to light. I hope you will join us on this mission coming this fall. You can subscribe today HERE DON'T FORGET TO RATE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY FOLLOWING THE LINKTREE Follow Our Family Of True Crime Shows Lost Girls with LaDonna Humphrey & Amy Smith Extinguished With David McClam & L...

In this episode, David McClam interviews Marsha Joiner, an advocate for hospice awareness, who shares her tragic story of losing her mother to what she believes was negligent and harmful care in hospice. The conversation delves into the misconceptions surrounding hospice care, the dangers of drug combinations, and the ethical implications of end-of-life decisions. Marsha emphasizes the importance of knowledge and awareness in protecting loved ones from potential harm in the healthcare system, pa...

In this episode, host David McClam interviews Shanti Hershenson, a 17-year-old author who has published 30 books across various genres. Shanti shares her journey into writing, her creative process, and how she balances her passion for writing with her school life. The conversation also delves into her advocacy against bullying, discussing the importance of empathy and proper responses to bullying in schools. Additionally, Shanti talks about her success on TikTok as a platform for promoting her b...

Amidst global turmoil and deep political divides, David McClam searches for hope. He finds it not in rhetoric, but in shared human experiences: the universal language of music, profound acts of kindness, and the timeless message of unity from figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and even Prince. Join him on a journey to rediscover what truly brings us together. Time Line 00:00 Introduction and Call for Unity 03:04 Distractions, Exploitation, and Division 07:46 Dividing Narratives and Call to Ac...

Summary In this episode, David McClam discusses the assassination of Charlie Kirk, exploring the political implications and the role of rhetoric in inciting violence. He reflects on his own political beliefs, the impact of Donald Trump's presidency, a...

In this episode, David McClam shares his personal journey working for Apple, detailing the challenges he faced, including corporate politics, racial dynamics, and the impact of the pandemic on his employment. He clarifies previous mistakes made in the podcast and emphasizes the importance of mental health and support. David discusses his experiences with management, the Community Specialist program, and the struggles of navigating workplace relationships. Through his story, he advocates for tran...

Uncover the chilling story of Carol Jenkins, a young woman murdered in a sundown town, and the systemic biases that kept her case hidden for decades. 💔 Author Alexandra Kitty sheds light on the racial injustices and ethical dilemmas within true crime media. 🎙️ TIMELINE 00:00 Welcome and Author Introduction 03:33 Alexandra Kitty’s Diverse Books 07:37 Murder in a Sundown Town 11:51 Racism and Media Portrayal 16:59 Why Carol’s Case Was Ignored 22:06 The Dangers of Martinsville 26:51 Keeping Carol’...

What happens when a foster child from England becomes a Wall Street trader and brushes shoulders with the mob? In this riveting episode of "True Crime, Authors & Extraordinary People," host David McClam sits down with the extraordinary Ben Skull, whose life story unfolds like a gripping novel. As the author of the upcoming book "Wall Street Mafia: Absolute Power Corrupts," Ben reveals the dark underbelly of the financial world and the personal battles he faced along the way. From his tu...