Podcast Summary: "If You Bark Into The Future"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Read
• Host/Author: Loud Speakers Network
• Episode: If You Bark Into The Future
• Release Date: June 12, 2025

1. Black Excellence

The hosts, Saniya Rivers and Crystal, kick off the episode by celebrating notable achievements within the Black community.

• Sacrilege: Curse of the Mburi
  Saniya introduces a new psychological thriller available on Audible titled Sacrilege: Curse of the Mburi, starring Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things. She enthusiastically describes the plot, highlighting the film's thematic exploration of colonial oppression.

  Saniya Rivers [00:31]: "I can't wait for the surprises that lie within. Listen to Sacrilege Curse of the Mburi by going to audible.com sacrilege happy my sins away indeed."

• Indie Horror Film Sinners
  The duo discusses the indie horror film Sinners, noting its remarkable achievement of becoming the sixth horror film to surpass $200 million domestically. They commend the film's success despite its low budget and limited previous recognition.

  Saniya Rivers [03:38]: "It is now, though, the sixth horror film ever to pass $200 million domestically at the box office."

• J' Jerie Kennedy's NIL Deal
  They laud J’ Jerie Kennedy, the first college softball player to secure a million-dollar Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. The hosts emphasize the significance of this milestone for female athletes.

  Crystal [06:11]: "She led Stanford to back-to-back women's national college World Series appearances. And so really that girl’s everyone's a fan."

• Carrie Young's Tony Awards Wins
  Celebrating Carrie Young's consecutive Tony Awards wins, the hosts acknowledge her historic achievement as the first Black performer to win two Tonys in a row.

  Saniya Rivers [10:56]: "She just won her second consecutive Tony award, best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play."

2. Pop Culture and Awards Shows

The conversation shifts to recent award shows, highlighting performances and notable moments.

• BET Awards Recap
  Saniya and Crystal discuss the BET Awards, particularly praising the 106 & Park reunion and the Jamie Foxx tribute. They express admiration for Jennifer Hudson's moving performance during the tribute.

  Crystal [12:37]: "My favorite was probably the 106 and park reunion... Jennifer Hudson's performance had me in tears."

• Amerie's Tiny Desk Performance
  The hosts critique Amerie's appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, expressing disappointment despite recognizing her musical talent.

  Crystal [22:32]: "The feedback, the commentary has not been kind. But her BET Awards performance was better."

• Upcoming Film: Kiss of the Spider Woman
  Jennifer Lopez stars in the new film Kiss of the Spider Woman, adapted from a musical. The hosts discuss its potential and the involvement of director Rob Marshall, known for Chicago and Beauty and the Beast.

  Saniya Rivers [25:07]: "She's singing a lot. It looks like a film... from the director of Dream Girls and Beauty and the Beast."

• Wicked Ferguson
  They touch upon the anticipated release of Wicked Ferguson, the sequel to Wicked, anticipating a darker narrative that continues the story from the original musical.

3. Sports

The focus shifts to sports, particularly highlighting the Oklahoma City Thunder’s performance in the NBA Finals.

• Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals
  Crystal passionately discusses the Thunder's journey in the finals, expressing confident optimism about their chances of winning the championship.

  Crystal [59:00]: "I think Game five is gonna be the one where we raise the trophy."

4. Listener Letters

The hosts engage with their audience by addressing listener questions and stories.

• Letter from Mel: Animal Psychics
  Mel shares her experience with animal psychics for her dog, discussing the insights gained and questioning the legitimacy of such services.

  Crystal [63:01]: "She would have no way of knowing that."

• Letter from Michael: Mental Health and Friendships
  Michael writes about struggling to maintain friendships due to mental health challenges, seeking advice on how to show up better for friends.

  Crystal [76:34]: "How much space do you really have to show up for others? You’re saying your mental health is barely staying afloat."

5. Current Events and Social Issues

The hosts delve into pressing societal issues, particularly focusing on immigration enforcement and its impacts.

• Immigration Enforcement in Los Angeles
  Saniya expresses outrage over ICE operations in LA, condemning the aggressive and inhumane methods used to detain immigrants. The conversation highlights the emotional toll and racial undertones of such policies.

  Saniya Rivers [85:36]: "They swoop up people from the streets... in the name of an immigration policy. No one knows how those people are doing."

• Political Commentary on Definitions of Protests
  They critique the Trump administration’s labeling of protests as insurrections, arguing that the term is misapplied and downplays the nature of peaceful demonstrations.

  Saniya Rivers [100:56]: "An act or instance of rising in revolt... These are people understandably reacting and protesting a disgusting, inhumane process."

6. Additional Topics

The hosts briefly touch upon various other cultural and entertainment topics.

• Nick Frost Cast as Hagrid
  They mention Nick Frost being cast as Hagrid in the Harry Potter series, noting his previous roles and the significance of his casting.

• Disqualification of a 16-Year-Old Track Star
  A discussion ensues about a 16-year-old Black track star being disqualified for unsportsmanlike behavior after a celebratory act, which the hosts argue is rooted in racial bias.

  Crystal [113:51]: "We don't like the way you celebrate being great... it's being demeaning to other individuals or the sport."

7. Conclusion and Final Remarks

In their concluding remarks, Saniya and Crystal emphasize the importance of safety during Pride and continue to express their support for the communities discussed.

Saniya Rivers [128:33]: "I hope you guys are having a happy and very safe Pride. The streets are very weird."

Notable Quotes:

• Saniya Rivers [03:38]: "It is still out there. Unless you want to watch it."

• Crystal [12:37]: "Jennifer Hudson was in the tribute, and she was doing the vocalist part of it. And her voice, literally, it had me break."

• Saniya Rivers [06:31]: "And they said the number is specific. Million dollars for her name, $50,000 for living expenses."

• Crystal [22:32]: "The Tiny Desk baby is not worth my time."

• Saniya Rivers [85:36]: "They sent Marines to go pluck people out of their homes in broad daylight."

• Crystal [119:00]: "This is America in a nutshell."

Conclusion: In this episode of The Read, Saniya Rivers and Crystal engage in passionate discussions spanning Black excellence in film and sports, recent award show highlights, listener engagement, and intense commentary on current social and political issues, particularly focusing on immigration enforcement and racial injustice. Their candid and humorous exchanges provide both entertainment and serious discourse, reflecting their unique perspectives as transplants navigating life in New York City.