Podcasts that celebrate cultural identity and diaspora

If you can trace your roots back to a place, you're part of a diaspora. Whether you feel a strong connection to your heritage, or you're in the process of discovering more about your background, the places we come from can help shape who we are. There are so many fantastic podcasts out there exploring cultural identity, so we've gathered some of our favourites for you. Listen as famous Black creatives share the sounds that represent Blackness to them. Take a pre-COVID trip to a busy Asian mall in California for patrons' stories of love, dreams and dim sum. And follow one man's journey to learn more about his Woods-Cree heritage and the "pieces" of who he is today. No matter where your roots are and what identity means to you, these stories reflect something we all experience: searching for community and belonging.  

Podcasts featured this week:

The Stoop: "What is a sound that embodies Blackness? Today we invite you to unwind, lean back, disconnect and drift. We ask some phenomenal personalities, like LeVar Burton, Stacey Abrams, David Oyelewo, Shangela and more, what is a sound that is undeniably Black?"

Self Evident: Asian America's Stories: "When producer Erica Mu moved back to her hometown in 2014, she said goodbye to a past life without any idea what exactly her new life should look like. Looking for the most grounded place she could find, she went to the local mall early one morning, turned on her tape recorder, and started talking to everyone she could meet…"

La Brega: "A seven-part podcast series that uses narrative storytelling and investigative journalism to reflect and reveal how la brega has defined so many aspects of life in Puerto Rico. Available in English and Spanish."

Pieces: "Since the day he was old enough, Jeremy knew he was different. A mix of Indigenous and Caucasian heritage, he has experienced life through both vantage points – as well as the stereotypes. Join 19-year-old Jeremy Ratt on a journey of self discovery as he seeks to understand his roots and all of the distinct "pieces" that form who he is today."

Tell Them, I Am: "Sumayya Usmani rebels against her parents by getting a boyfriend, but ends up finding a freedom within her own family." 

Is there a culturally rooted podcast you think we should check out? Get in touch! Share your podcast recommendations with us! Email, tweet us @PodcastPlaylist, or find us on Facebook.

For more great podcasts, check out CBC's podcast portal, subscribe in Apple Podcasts.