In this Afros & Audio's Black History Month interview series, Talib Jasir, CEO of Afros & Audio Podcast Festival, engages in a deep conversation with Latrice Sampson Richards, an accomplished podcast producer and mental health clinician.

Discussing her journey as a mental health therapist to an award-winning podcast producer, the significance of intertwining mental health into her creative process, and the substantial personal impact certain projects have had on her life, Richards emphasizes the importance of authenticity in podcasting.

The conversation also shines a light on her live show and event production work while touching on the close-knit community within the Black podcasting space.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:46 Journey from Mental Health Counselor to Podcast Producer
01:00 Incorporating Mental Health into Podcasting
01:31 The Power of Asking Questions
02:33 Transitioning into Podcasting
03:32 Creativity in Podcasting
05:29 Podcasting as a Healing Art
07:01 The Journey of Pod Melanin
07:08 Creating Immersive Live Events
07:52 The Power of Community in Podcasting
09:29 The Healing Power of Podcasting
15:43 Collaborations in the Podcasting Industry
20:02 The Importance of Recognizing Black Podcasters
28:50 The Importance of Authenticity in Podcasting
29:36 The Role of Audio Quality in Podcasting
31:09 The Power of Community in Podcasting
32:15 Memorable Moments in Event Production
37:26 The Impact of the 'Black HIV in the South' Project
45:53 The Power of Connections in the Podcasting Industry
52:34 Advice for Aspiring Podcasters and Audio Professionals
56:22 Closing Remarks and Contact Information