In this episode, Ayana reflects on the theme of courage throughout 2025, a nearly quiet revolution. Ayana emphasizes that true courage involves facing truths and embracing imagination. She shares personal stories of how courage became more than just a word, evolving into a rhythm and a way of being. Ayana highlights that courage is not a solitary act but a relational and collective practice, urging listeners to find courage in truth and imagination as they move forward.

Onward into 2026! Happy New Year!

"Roar" original artwork by Jarrett Terrill

In this episode, Ayana explores the cyclical nature of American politics, highlighting how history often repeats itself through recurring themes of conflict, reform, backlash, and renewal. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these patterns to transform them into spirals of progress, urging listeners to learn from the past to foster a more just and stable future.

The recent government shutdown may have ended, but theturmoil surrounding it has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding affordable healthcare in the United States. This issue isn't new, nor is it likely to be resolved anytime soon. The shutdown highlights deep-rooted problems in how political parties prioritize—or fail to prioritize—the healthcare and other needs of the public.

🎥 Follow Our Vote Counts on TikTok for powerful voter education tips and real talk with candidates running for office across the country. From ballot breakdowns to behind-the-scenes interviews, we’re making civic engagement accessible, informative, and unapologetically bold.

In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' host Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of caste in the United States, drawing from Isabel Wilkerson's book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.' Ayana discusses how caste, unlike race and gender, forms a hidden hierarchy that influences American society, politics, economics, and public policies. She examines the implications of caste on education, healthcare, criminal justice, and political ideologies, while also addressing the urgent need to acknowledge and dismantle this pervasive system. Tune in to explore the deep-seated inequalities shaped by this enduring social order.

Who ordered the 'housing discrimination disguised as an American dream' with a side of Freedom Fries?

Rejected names for Trump's new air plane.

Works used:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/07/trump-cancer-alley-plant-biden-lawsuit
2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/24/trump-sewage-pollution-settlement-alabama
3. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/a-trump-presidency-could-prevent-accountability-for-jackson-water-system-oversight-former-epa-leader-warns/
4. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/as-funds-for-jacksons-water-system-dry-up-henifin-proposes-rate-increase-and-asks-congress-for-help/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/24/trump-effort-rescind-endangerment-finding-climate-crisis
6. https://www.wwno.org/coastal-desk/2025-04-24/there-is-no-protection-trump-offers-chemical-plants-exemptions-from-pollution-rules-alarming-cancer-alley-advocates
7. https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/07/07/a-billionaire-an-ai-supercomputer-toxic-emissions-and-a-memphis-community-that-did-nothing-wrong/
8. TikTok: @moreperfectunion

In this unscripted episode of Ayana Explains It All, host Ayana Fakhir shares her frustrations and insights on a range of pressing issues in America today. She discusses the controversy of funding professional sports stadiums, the intricacies of Supreme Court decisions regarding Donald Trump's executive orders, and the expanding scope of presidential powers. Ayana also delves into topics of racial injustice, specifically the historical and ongoing persecution of various minority groups in the United States, and the dangerous rhetoric around immigration and Islamophobia. She calls out the erasure of uncomfortable historical truths and the current climate of political and social delusion. This episode is a raw and enlightening take on the many challenges and contradictions that define contemporary America.

In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of Black Fatigue, a term introduced by Mary Frances-Winters in her book, "Black Fatigue" which refers to the chronic physical and emotional exhaustion faced by Black Americans due to repeated exposure to racism. Ayana elaborates on how this fatigue is passed down through generations, exacerbated by systemic racism and daily microaggressions. She discusses the social media uproar about a burnt plantation home, using it as a case study to highlight ongoing racial injustices. Ayana emphasizes the need for systemic change, the importance of recognizing the true meaning of Black Fatigue, and the critical role of Black resilience and activism in fighting against white supremacy. Tune in to understand the profound impacts of racism on Black individuals and communities.