Best Basically Rappers Podcasts (2025)

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029. Philosophy Survey - Part 1 1:27:12

4d ago1:27:12

1:27:12

In this episode, Part 1 of a philosophical survey, Jim and Marcos answer some of the most difficult and fundamental questions in philosophy. The purpose is to give a general overview of Jim and Marcos' opinions on important questions, not so much because they're experts, they're not; but because these questions are important; and by exploring them …

1
Welcome to Romanistan Festival NOLA recap teaser 8:24

16d ago8:24

8:24

Welcome to our teaser for our first live show recording, and a recap! We hosted our first Welcome to Romanistan Festival in New Orleans, featuring six events that brought together incredible queer and trans Romani performers from across the country. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME! The festival showcased Romani culture through academic panels, live …

1
Orhan Tahir on Pariahs, Outcasts, and Political Science 1:16:12

22d ago1:16:12

1:16:12

Orhan Tahir is a Romani lawyer, scholar and journalist, originally from Bulgaria, who has lived in Western Europe for the past 10 years. He is currently engaged as a PhD researcher in Political Science at the Heidelberg University in Germany. Orhan's focus is on the construction of "Gypsies" as an outcast "Pariah people" in European imagination in …

1
028. Creative Control & Neurodivergence 1:22:48

25d ago1:22:48

1:22:48

Marcos shares personal details about his struggle for creative control amid neurodivergent dissonance. As an ADHD-er, Marcos struggles for focus amid a storm of creative effusion. Can Jim relate? What is there to learn through these personal experessions of vulnerability and struggle? Find out on alAndar! Andamos! Correction: The Poet's Cafe featur…

1
Chronic Pain and Healing with Klaudia Farkas of Romani Roots 1:09:18

2M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

Klaudia Farkas is a Romani woman, Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) since 2010, a self-taught herbalist since 2014, and an esthetician since 2020. She is the founder and owner of Romani Roots and Romani Roots Skincare and Herbal Remedies, based in the heart of Noe Valley, San Francisco. With a passion for holistic wellness, Klaudia blends her extensi…

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027. We Need Fake Stories 1:38:47

2M ago1:38:47

1:38:47

In this episode, Marcos and Jim dive into the need for fiction. Inspired by a recent Jim Nog blog post, Marcos and Jim discuss why we need fiction, why we are reading less than before, and what we can do about it. TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Preview (0:54) Beginning theme (1:23) Context: The cultural bias against fiction (4:44) Context: Storytelling humans (…

1
026. Envelopes of Care and Universal Basic Guarantees 1:00:44

2M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

How much of your work is caring for what you really care about? Marcos workshops an outline of his observations of how "Envelopes of Care"(EOCs) backed by “Universal Basic Guarantees” (UBGs) contour our world. Jim seeks context and explores connections to theories of value, change and evolution. Marcos questions: How do ecosystems generate and buil…

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Sharon Svec on "Seeking Warmth," an art exhibit featuring Ceija Stojka and Daniel Baker 56:57

2M ago56:57

56:57

"Seeking Warmth," an art exhibit curated by artist Sharon Svec, held at Art At The Cave in Vancouver, WA running March 4-29, 2025, aims to explore humanity's need for emotional and physical warmth, especially during times of extreme circumstances such as those caused by genocide, war, oppression and neglect. Ceija Stojka (1933-2013) was a child sur…

1
Amaro Voice Crossover with Sejnur Memisi 41:05

3M ago41:05

41:05

Sejnur Memisi is a journalist & Roma activist from Germany. He is originally from Kosovo, and escaped 1999 with his family to Germany because of the Kosovo war. He studied Media Management and since April 2020 has produced Podcasts about Sinti & Roma. He began the podcast (Sinti Roma News, formerly RYMEcast) in the German language. 3 of his German …

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Madeline Potter on Nosferatu and Romani Representation in Gothic Literature 1:03:09

3M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

In this episode, we dive into Romani representation in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu with Madeline Potter, Romani scholar of 19th century Gothic literature! We also get into vampire lore, Romani folklore, mulo, strigoi, and Romani tropes in Gothic literature and media. Madeline Potter is a research and teaching fellow at the University of Edinburgh, in …

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Gilda Horvath, aka Nancy Black: Journalist, Rapper, and Activist 44:34

4M ago44:34

44:34

Nancy Black is the alter ego of the journalist and activist Gilda-Nancy Horvath, a Romni from Vienna, Austria. She writes poems in Romanes, English and German which are sometimes translated to music, mainly rap music. Her rap-poem "Trushula" (Crosses) states clearly that the danger of dark history repeating is always present - and that even people …

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025. Mental Health & Creative Productivity 1:07:35

4M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Marcos and Jim begin the episode with providing context for new listeners: who Jim and Marcos are and what alAndar is and means. Jim shares how he overcame crippling depression. And Marcos describes his journey with ADHD. *If you're experiencing difficult thoughts, you can call 988. You are not alone. Life is worth living. TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Beginni…

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Tarot reading for 2025! 11:22

4M ago11:22

11:22

Welcome to season 5! This mini-episode starts with a tarot reading for the year ahead. There’s personal growth and healing in 2025 with the Hermit and the Ace of Cups. Listeners are encouraged to embrace introspection, nurture emotional well-being, and prioritize love in their lives and communities. • Time for reflection and introspection inspired …

1
024. The Yearly Special - Looking Back, Looking Forward 1:41:35

5M ago1:41:35

1:41:35

This is a special episode, indeed. Marcos and Jim look back at 2024, examining both personal and art/work-related memories and goals. What went well? What didn't? Then they look forward to 2025. What are their big goals? What to expect from alAndar in 2025? Join the journey! Let's make the way, al andar! *Important announcement - the alAndar Book C…

1
Rowena Marin on Google Translate and the Romani Language 37:41

5M ago37:41

37:41

This episode explores the inclusion of the Romani language on Google Translate, featuring Rowena Marin's insights on the intersection of technology and culture. We discuss the journey from grassroots initiatives to digital recognition, the complexities of language preservation, and the opportunities technology can create for the Romani community. •…

1
023. MMT Ideas from Finding the Money 1:45:05

5M ago1:45:05

1:45:05

Jim and Marcos talk through five Modern Money Theory (MMT) points from the film Finding the Money. Jim’s says watching the film brought him from being an “MMT skeptic” to being “open to these ideas” as a “helpful framework”. Marcos feels excited by the potential that democratic deployment of public money creates for public policy, but frightened by…

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Good Morning, Romanistan 9: Water Always Wanders and Agatha All Along 1:12:10

6M ago1:12:10

1:12:10

We spoke with Ylva Mara Radziszewski about Water Always Wanders, a multimedia theatre production of queer and trans Romani artists at the Mudlark Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana December 6th & 7th from 6:30-9:00 pm cst. Our book, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling will be for sale along with Loly scarves, and other vendors. This performance will a…

1
022. Fear of Death and Love of Life 1:12:50

6M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

In this episode, Marcos & Jim dive into questions about mortality, meaning, and the psychology of death anxiety. Inspired by Jim's blog post, "Should We Fear Death?," they explore the evolution-driven utility of fear of death (FoD), why we feel it, and how it motivates us. They also contrast this with an alternative - love of life (LoL). Does FoD d…

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Good Morning Romanistan 8: Book tour, ghost stories, and a chat with Robin Badaire about Agatha All Along 1:07:04

7M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

What if spirits could communicate through a simple hair comb? And what role do children play in spiritual practices? Join us as we uncover these mysteries and more, during our vibrant journey on the Good Morning Romanistan book tour. From Portland to Portsmouth, we’ve been embraced by amazing communities and experienced transformative events like o…

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Andra Zlătescu on music and witchcraft 51:07

7M ago51:07

51:07

Andra Zlătescu is a musician, performer, and illustrator, who performs as part of the band Willow Switch, Spindle Collective, and as a solo performer. Andra plays the singing saw (a carpentry saw played with a violin bow that evokes the haunting wail of the wind in the trees), banjo, guitar, and sings. Andra is passionate about creation that serves…

1
Angeliska Polacheck: Sister Temperance Tarot 44:10

7M ago44:10

44:10

Angeliska Polacheck (they/she) is an Austin, Texas based writer, healer, and professional tarot reader. Devoted to helping seekers find their path, they utilize the tarot in a compassionate and trauma-informed combination of visionary mystic counseling and energy work. Angeliska has been working with the tarot for over 30 years now, and has been re…

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021. Bronx-ology 2 - Stories & Songs Creating Community 1:23:05

7M ago1:23:05

1:23:05

How often do we stop and see the place where we live? Marcos and Jim practice Bronx-ology, Bronx talk, discussing Bronxian themes in three Marcos de la Guagua compositions. Jim highlights the power of multi-generational narrative, and reflects on his Bronx childhood, education and work as an educator. Marcos breaks down the word-smithing underpinni…

1
April Wall of Namaste Magical 53:03

7M ago53:03

53:03

April Wall is an author and international psychic medium with twenty years of experience helping clients sort through life’s ups and downs. A proud Romany, she carries on the traditions started by the strong women in her family, especially her great-grandmother, great aunt, and granny, or as she refers to them, April’s Angels. Find her online at na…

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Community and Connection Tarot with Logan Dulski 44:45

8M ago44:45

44:45

On this episode of Romanistan, we introduce a non-Roma international relations guest, , Logan Dulski, and the inclusive tarot deck they created, the Community and Connection Pocket Tarot Deck. We also hear from Romani artist contributors, Lane Friend, Robin Badaire, and Aurora Luna (aka Baby Recklesss). Logan Dulski (they/she) is a queer multidisci…

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020. Re: Birth - Poetry & How Jim Would Like to Die 1:14:51

8M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

In Re: Birth twenty-one poems trace the arc of two decades of life, from the youthful uncertainty of twenty to the midlife introspection of forty. This collection dives into the depths of the human condition, capturing moments of identity, struggle, despair, hope, growth, and decay. Each poem was originally written on the author's birthday and mark…

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Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling Preview! 25:42

8M ago25:42

25:42

What hidden wisdom lies within the centuries-old practice of Romani fortune telling? Join us as Paulina and Jez preview their debut book, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling. In this book, they not only share the spiritual techniques and business insights of fortune telling but also unravel the cultural significance and personal stories steeped in Ro…

1
Ion Zanca and Romani: the Untold Story 39:22

9M ago39:22

39:22

We had such a beautiful interview with Ion Zanca, interwoven with music from his new album, ROMANI: The Untold Story. Ion Zanca is the founder of the Dallas String Quartet, a Billboard-charting Classical Crossover ensemble with over 700 million streams on streaming platforms. They have performed for multiple sitting U.S. Presidents, with superstars…

1
019. Wearing Your Tribulation like a Rose - Goth Opera?! 1:03:04

9M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Can sadness be beautiful? Maybe we need it to be. Can beauty be sad? Perhaps it must be. Marcos and Jim discuss songs from Wear Your Tribulation like a Rose from Marcos de la Guagua. Jim & Marcos consider W.H. Auden’s advice about transmuting emotion through art from Auden’s “Hymn to Saint Cecilia,” set by Benjamin Britten. Jim recalls the solidari…

1
Good Morning, Romanistan 7: We Wrote a Book! 28:43

10M ago28:43

28:43

Hello and welcome to Romanistan! We’re off schedule but doing our best! We have some current event updates and a short interview on the book we wrote, Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling, available for preorder now. Current events: https://www.errc.org/news/hungarian-governments-new-decree-threatens-ukrainian-romani-refugees https://www.leparisien.fr…

1
018. Creative Weekly - Fiction, Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction 1:14:12

10M ago1:14:12

1:14:12

Creative Weekly provides weekly creative writing (fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction) as a low-cost Patreon membership. Jim shares three pieces from the growing collection, one of each genre. Marcos and he discuss mindfulness, natural selection, connectedness, anxiety, fear of death, revenge, violence, and more. TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Teaser (0:12) B…

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Ceija Stojka Exhibition 48:08

11M ago48:08

48:08

We interviewed allies Lorely French and Carina Kurta who are experts on artist, writer, activist, and Holocaust survivor, Ceija Stojka. In an effort to preserve and share her work, there will be an exhibit of Ceija Stojka's artworks in conjunction with the events that are going on for the Culture Capital of Europe 2024 in the Salzkammergut. The exh…

1
Ruth Sullivan and Traveller Pride 47:29

11M ago47:29

47:29

Welcome to our second pride month interview! Ruth Sullivan is a director of Traveller Pride, a UK based organisation that brings together Traveller people from the various UK communities to celebrate every aspect of our identities. Ruth is Queer and from a mixed Romany and Gorger family. She discovered her Romany ethnicity in her teens when her Gra…

1
Pride, adoption, & an interest in criminal psychology with Nico 29:01

11M ago29:01

29:01

Happy Pride! Happy Gypsy, Roma, Traveller History Month! We were delighted to start off the season by chatting to Nico! Nico is a queer, disabled Romani from the UK who has lived across multiple continents and is currently based on the southeast coast of England. They’re passionate about human rights and equality, and have a lifelong interest in cr…

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017. Loser Gumbo - Failure & Resilience 1:11:46

11M ago1:11:46

1:11:46

Loser Gumbo (EP) from Marcos de la Guagua is a collage of idea-dense, cathartic Hiphop/Blues/Gospel in a sonorous soundscape. The title comes from staged rooster fights where one wins and "… some may get mercy, but I’ve seen that some go / into a pot of Loser Gumbo.” We're all the loser at some point. So can we talk about loss and losing? What can …

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Honoring Romani Resistance Day and Raymond Gurême 11:50

1y ago11:50

11:50

We have a minisode honoring Romani Resistance Day, May 16th, and the resistance fighter Raymond Gurême. Resources: https://www.roma-sinti-holocaust-memorial-day.eu/history/raymond-gureme/ https://eriac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RAYMOND-GUREME-new.pdf https://www.romarchive.eu/en/voices-of-the-victims/genocide-holocaust-porajmos-samudaripen/ Ro…

1
016. Headless - Non-Dualism & Many-Worlds 55:30

1y ago55:30

55:30

Headless is a short film largely inspired by the philosophies of non-dualism and determinism. Is there a self? Is there free will? Follow our protagonist as he awakens one day only to lose his head, triggering a crisis for understanding. Immerse yourself in his exploration of consciousness. Watch it ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ (YouTube) or ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ (TikTok). …

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Musician Luiee Bloo 38:06

1y ago38:06

38:06

Known for their innovative approach to progressive music, Luiee Bloo (they/him) is a multi-instrumentalist, independent solo artist, producer, and audio engineer from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, CA. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical styles and influences, Luiee's sound is a captivating fusion of world rhythms, intricat…

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015. Movement Music - Problem, Intervention, Change (PIC) 55:20

1y ago55:20

55:20

Problem, Intervention, Change (PIC) is the frame that Jim and Marcos discuss Marcos’ album Early Etudes (EÉ 10), vol 10: Movement Music. Jim shares his writing calendar strategies. They consider why change is difficult, so is art-work, yet the beat goes on. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 -Preview, Problem Intervention Change (PIC), art for praxis 0:25 - alAndar t…

1
World Roma Federation: International Roma Day on April 8th 47:47

1y ago47:47

47:47

Enjoy this interview with Deny Dobobrov and Janos Sztojka of World Roma Federation! WRF is hosting a flag raising ceremony in Chicago on April 8th for International Roma Day. To honor and share their work, we talked to them about their organization’s beginnings, upcoming events, and their vision for the future. Follow, support, & join World Roma Fe…

1
Good Morning Romanistan 6: A better or worse world 33:27

1y ago33:27

33:27

Our book Secrets of Romani Fortune Telling is available for preorder! You can order from major booksellers or request that your local bookstores and library carry it when it's released October 1st, 2024. Our interview on dealing with the haters in Bold Journey. Current Events: Volunteer Ministers of the Church of Scientology of Budapest Continue Th…

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014. Everything Is Now - Dynamism & Determinism 1:17:15

1y ago1:17:15

1:17:15

Jim shares Everything Is Now, a 3-minute film, signaling Jim's first foray into filmmaking. Watch it ⁠here⁠ (YouTube) or ⁠here⁠ (TikTok). With this context, Marcos and he discuss dynamism and determinism and how they come to define the human condition. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Intro Song 0:24 - Episode Introduction 3:04 - Introduction to Everything Is Now…

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013. Good God Talk - Is God at Work? 1:33:51

1y ago1:33:51

1:33:51

Jim & Marcos discuss cosmic ideas and personal feelings from the recent Marcos de la Guagua album Early Études, vol 9: Good God Talk. Rev. Dean Nelson has described the Good GodTalk EP as: “…the idiom of today with the wisdom of the eternal.” Rev. Reginald Hansome, Jr. has called it: “Musically, aesthetically, theologically and culturally superb!” …

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Robin Badaire, The Scarlet Witch, and Romani comic book characters 1:00:27

1+ y ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Welcome to season 4, our 4 year anniversary, and Valentine's Day! We're celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Scarlet Witch by talking with Robin Badaire about Romani comic book character representation in Marvel and DC! Robin Badaire is a writer and an artist of Cale Romani descent from Boston, Massachusetts. As an avid reader of comic books and…

1
012. Imitating Life - Race, Identity, & Being Weird 47:03

1+ y ago47:03

47:03

Childhood often asks more questions than it answers. Who am I? What am I? Some of us struggle to find clarity. In this episode, Jim reads from an autobiographical short story, “Imitating Life.” Marcos and he discuss the significance of race and identity growing up as an inner-city, "light-skinned" minority. The story was published in 2014 in SNRevi…

1
Holidaze 35:19

1+ y ago35:19

35:19

Welcome to our holidaze episode, featuring a special short story “Black Friday” by Caren Gussoff Sumption. We also recommend Jewish Voice for Peace for more information on how to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/ Happy holidays to everyone! Check out Jez’s tarot reading in Bustle on navigating the holidays, and listen…

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011. Music, Drama, and Clownin' on Bandcamp 57:14

1+ y ago57:14

57:14

Discussing his albums Making a Scene and Clownin’, Marcos shares from the “sad face” and the “happy face” sides of his musical storytelling. Marcos explains why he is using Bandcamp to share his music. Jim considers the conflict between being and performing in everyday life. They talk about manhood. Tio Jim has some advice for the youngsters. TIMES…

1
Romanistan Hiatus! 1:39

1+ y ago1:39

1:39

We’re writing a book! So we’re going on a little hiatus through November so we can make our deadline. Our book will be on Romani fortune telling and will be published by Weiser Books October 2024. In the meantime, catch up on our past 3 seasons. We’ll be back in December. ❄️By Jessica Reidy / Jezmina Von Thiele and Paulina Stevens

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Episode 10: Carnival City 2:54

1+ y ago2:54

2:54

Carnival City Trap Instrument

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010. The Naked Down - Star Trek & Existential Crises 1:00:23

1+ y ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Jim shares "The Naked Down," a teleplay based on the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Naked Now" (S1E3), which is based on a The Original Series episode with the same name. Marcos and Jim discuss Star Trek's TNG series, how it inspired them, crushes, and flaws with the series; other Star Trek series; scenes from the teleplay; finding mea…

1
009. A Bronx-ology of How Hiphop Began 54:08

1+ y ago54:08

54:08

Marcos and Jim consider the “Bronx-ology” of how Hiphop began by discussing the rap verse from Marcos’ recent demo "Meet Me in the Bronx." They ask: How could public policy better nourish BX creatives today? Jim critiques commercial rap’s historic trajectory and affirms the artists’ responsibility to help shape culture. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Marcos: DJ…

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Basically Rappers Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen