Fighting Words with George M. Johnson
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About This Podcast
George M. Johnson knows how to counterpunch the culture wars. ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE, their memoir of growing up Black and Queer in America, is currently the second-most banned book in America. And that distinction has pushed George to the frontlines of the fight for freedom of expression. “Fighting Words” is George’s chance to bring listeners into the ring with some of today’s most talented, outspoken and courageous creative people, people ready, willing and able to use their words to fight back against intolerance, fear, censorship and marginalization.
Each week George talks to someone about their work making culture that takes on the topics some people seem afraid to talk about. It’s a conversation that goes deep but stays light – fleet, fast and fearless. And each episode gives George a chance to shine a light on new music, timeless wisdom and some of today’s rising stars.
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Recent Episodes
S1E50 "Greatest Hits" Part 2
For the show's last episode, George looks back at some of their favorite conversations, with a special focus on global solidarity. This episode features Gabrielle Union, Imani Bashir, Elias Jahshan…
S1E49 "Divest from Conditional Belonging" (w/ Mariah Moore)
George is joined by Mariah Moore from the Transgender Law Center. She tells George about becoming an activist after the murder of her trans sisters in New Orleans, how to fight for trans rights today…
S1E48 Holiday Re-Run: "There's Always Next Year" My New Book (w/ Leah Johnson)
Today, we're revisiting George's conversation with Leah Johnson, co-author of their new book "There's Always Next Year", a holiday romcom about second chances, new beginnings and the power of…
S1E47 "Greatest Hits" Part 1
Today, George looks back on one year of Fighting Words and puts together moments from some of their favorite conversations, with Darnell Moore, Sapphire, Emil Wilbekin, Erika Alexander and Dana A.…
S1E46 ICYMI: "Music is the Weapon of the Future" (w/ Jason King)
We bring back George's conversation with Jason King, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, a musician, music historian and much, much more. Jason talks about how to live the summoned life, how to…
S1E45 “Queer Superpower” (w/ Ian L. Haddock)
George is joined by Ian L. Haddock, the founder and executive director of the Normal Anomaly Initiative, a nonprofit that provides direct services to the LGBTQ+ community in Houston. Ian tells George…
S1E44 ICYMI: "Just Getting Started" (w/ Angelica Ross)
Today, we revisit one of our first conversations on the show, with the iconic Angelica Ross, actress, musician, businesswoman and activist known for her iconic roles on Pose and American Horror…
S1E43 "Creating Music That Feels Good" (w/ Julian King)
George is joined by Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Julian King. Julian tells George about his approach to making music, how living in China transformed him and opening for Mary J Blige. See…
S1E42 "There is Always Pop Culture" (w/ Shar Jossell)
George is joined by award-winning journalist Shar Jossell. Shar talks about how Oprah and Wendy Williams influenced her career, about approaching pop culture with a critical lens and how to make…
S1E41 "Is Writing Activism?" (w/ Leah Johnson)
George is joined by Leah Johnson, award-winning YA author and owner of Loudmouth Books, an independent bookstore in Indianapolis uplifting banned books and marginalized authors. Leah tells George…
S1E40 ICYMI: "Choosing to Remember" (w/ Sapphire)
Today, we bring back George's conversation with the legendary author Sapphire. Her 1996 novel Push was adapted into the 2009 movie Precious, which won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress and Best…
S1E39 "Make Something Shake” (w/ Sean Coleman)
Sean Coleman joins George on the podcast to talk about how ballroom and incarceration shaped his life, why he wanted to change the non-profit sector and start Destination Tomorrow, and opening the…
S1E38 “Without a Vision, People Perish” (w/ Bishop Joseph W. Tolton)
George is joined by Bishop Joseph William Tolton, who discusses the history of white Christian Nationalism in America, how this anti-democratic and anti-Black movement has spread around the world,…
S1E37 "Art Should Agitate" (w/ Charlene A. Carruthers)
George is joined by storyteller and community organizer Charlene A. Carruthers. Charlene talks about how growing up in Chicago shaped her organizing, about occupying the Chicago police headquarters…
S1E36 "Focus on Living" (w/ Greg Mathis Jr.)
George is joined by actor Greg Mathis Jr., who shares what it was like to work in DC for 10 years, trying to pass the Affordable Care Act, before switching careers to entertainment. Greg tells George…
S1E35 "Toni Morrison, Editor" (w/ Dana A. Williams)
George is joined by Dana A. Williams, Dean of the Graduate School at Howard University and author of a new book "Toni at Random," about Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's overlooked career as…
S1E34 "Revealing Times" (w/ Yvie Oddly and Ryan Mitchell)
George is joined by the hosts of the HIGHKEY podcast, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Yvie Oddly and culture critic Ryan Mitchell. Together, they discuss reactions to the Charlie Kirk shooting, the…
S1E33 "Stop Giving Your Power Away" (w/ Nathan Hale Williams)
George is joined by Emmy-nominated director, writer and producer Nathan Hale Williams. Nathan tells George about growing up in Chicago, becoming a producer and director, what he thinks the role of…
S1E32 ICYMI: "The Freedom Was the Star" (w/ Bob the Drag Queen)
Today, we return to one of our favorite conversations, with iconic comedian, drag queen and author, Bob the Drag Queen. Bob tells George to discuss his new novel Harriet Tubman: Live in…
S1E31 "What White Supremacy Does to Your Mental Health" (w/ Shahem Mclaurin)
George is joined by Shahem Mclaurin, licensed therapist and social worker, with over 800K followers online. Shahem tells George about his story: how he never wanted to become a therapist until he…
Frequently Asked Questions
Fighting Words with George M. Johnson has published 51 episodes since January 2025, covering topics in Society & Culture.
Fighting Words with George M. Johnson is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 33m.
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