#Women’sHistoryMonth Spotlight: Jourdan Ash
We got the chance to talk to Harlem-native, Jourdan Ash about her podcast, @datinginnycpod​ that, you guessed it, follows the chronicles of what it is like to date in New York City as a millennial and what it’s like being in the podcast industry as a Black woman.
Tell us about yourself. How did you start your podcast?
My name is Jourdan Ash. I’m a Harlem native creative, a writer (with a current focus on the importance of the representation of Black and Brown women in the sneaker and streetwear industries), and host of the bi-weekly show Dating in NYC: The Podcast. It started after moving back home from college, newly single, in 2014. I kept meeting different men in the same bodies, over and over again. I started by just asking questions on Twitter. Then it grew into a series on my blog, where I interviewed women and men, asking the same questions and getting completely different answers. A few people suggested I start the series as a podcast because “people don’t read anymore.” So, I found a studio and hit YouTube to learn how to edit in Garageband and Dating in NYC: The Podcast was born.
The podcast industry is still largely white and male-dominated. How can we continue to shine a light on Black women podcasters?Â
We can shine a light on Black women podcasters by supporting them on the internet and IRL. I’ve noticed that with podcasting, audiences eventually want more events in person, which is great, beautiful, and of course, expected. But when it comes to funding and sponsorships, it’s really hard for Black podcasters to get paid the same as some of their counterparts from brands—or to get paid at all. This means a lot of times, we’re coming out of pocket to provide people with the content (both auditory and visual), events, and even merch that they want and deserve. Support your favorite Black woman’s podcasts by contributing to their Patreon, OnlyFans, or direct links!
What has been your favorite episode that you created?
My favorite episode so far has to have been “The Girlfriend Experience.” For this one, I tapped three current and former sex workers about how they maintain romantic relationships and create boundaries in their work and love lives. This one, in particular, was great for me because sex work is very rarely normalized. The women I spoke to were very open to sharing their experiences and breaking down what the “Girlfriend Experience” actually is, and talked about how laws and the removal of adult content on Tumblr impacted them.
How do you embody the mission of #BlackExcellence365 in your everyday work?
I embody the mission of #BlackExcellence365 by making sure the stories of love, sex, and dating are told and shared correctly. I grew up reading love and sex columns in magazines like Glamour and Cosmo. They very rarely had Black people speak about their romantic lives. Even years later, I notice the push from publications to promote Black trauma while completely dismissing our good moments, and telling our stories incorrectly. I’ve always known that the stories of Black and Brown love needed to have a platform, simply because it exists—it’s something I’m surrounded by every day. In my podcast and my work, it’s always us and our stories to the front. If you’ve got the words, I’ve got the time.
If you had any advice for women succeeding in the podcast industry, what would that be?
My only advice, which sounds very clichéd, is just to do it. Don’t think about how many podcasts are out there. Don’t think about how many people have done it before you. Just do it and do it well.
Thank you for sharing your story, Jourdan! Tumblr, do you have any favorite podcasts that are being hosted by women? Share some of your favorites in the notes section.
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
