Why W. Kamau Bell believes awkwardness makes change

W. Kamau Bell believes that America should be having more awkward conversations, like the ones he has on his CNN show United Shades of America, and the ones he writes about in his memoir, The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell. They're the ones that actually bring about change and progress, he says.

Bell's book is the latest project in his multi-platform career. His standup comedy gained the attention of comedian Chris Rock, who would become an executive producer on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, which aired for two seasons on FX. 

Bell has also delved deeply into the world of podcasting, hosting Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of all Time Period and Politically Re-active. But by far his biggest audience has come courtesy of his CNN show, United Shades of America, which is now in its second season.

In it, he visits places he says you wouldn't expect him to, including a cross-burning with the Ku Klux Klan.

Tom Power talks to Bell about the importance of having awkward conversations in today's social and political reality.

— Produced by Dawna Dingwall

Miss an episode of CBC q? Download our podcast here.