Melanated And Educated: Recent Episodes
Destiny Kristina
In this episode, Destiny and Harlande talk about being QuestBridge Scholars, being Black in the Ivy League, colonizer languages, laundry horror stories, and more! It's seriously unserious. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), check out the website (www.destinykristina.com), give positive ratings on streaming platforms, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny reviews all of the books she read in 2023, some new, some old, some good, some very questionable.If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and Ava talk about life post graduation, preparing for college, movies, books, TV, and more. Note that this episode was recorded over half a year ago, so it goes without saying, especially now that they're both in college, that their opinions have changed in some ways as they've learned more about themselves and the world. Still, hopefully you enjoy this episode!
If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny talks to Lily Joy Winder, an activist, actress, and student about the power of your voice, showing grace to yourself and others, evolving beliefs, the importance of representation, and more.
Trigger Warning: Mentions of sexual violence and assault.
No, this is not really ALL about the internet, mainly because that episode would be entirely too long. Instead, it’s about influencers, social media, generational differences, and protecting your peace. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny discusses the future, graduation, summer plans, and movies and shows on her watchlist. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny speaks with teen filmmaker, artist, and teacher Keertana Sreekumar. The two talk about their favorite books, Keertana’s unorthodox adolescence as a curator and screenwriter, and what it means to be a teenage girl.
Destiny and special guest Evan Deng, an NYC-based music video director and founder of the Family Video Store collective, talk about pursuing your passions, comparing yourself to others, working in film and music, and more. Their conversation goes from the history of the camera to struggles in driving lessons to relatability in media.
If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny talks about her first reads of the year, her book challenges, and books she swears by. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In the season premiere, Destiny is joined by fellow Color of Youth members Amaya and Miguel. The three discuss things like Color of Youth’s growth through 2022, starting senior year, and ordering tacos from Cheesecake Factory (a decision that still doesn’t make sense to anyone). If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
Destiny speaks to actress, model, and creator Tara Raani about building your confidence, embracing the beauty of your background, and being unafraid of change and growth. While the two discuss her work in the film and modeling industry, Tara emphasizes the importance of the "fake it 'til you make it" philosophy, doing what you want, and being unapologetic about who you are and what you need. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and A'Llayniah discuss popular tropes in booktok and personal favorites. The two also talk about misguided romance, books that weren't as good as expected, and more. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Kimmy (@kimmybookss) discuss the importance of being represented in all aspects. The two talk about being Black women in STEM, Kimmy's journey on booktok, some of their favorite reads, and more. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Taylor talk about being a student-athlete, balancing school life with proper sleep, foreign television series, memory lane, and more (#proudofkimbo). If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Kimberly talk about romance novels, living mundane lives, revenge on ants, and more! It’s a fun, phone-call type of episode that ultimately focuses on growing up and the experiences that come with it. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny talks about her reading and writing journey, things that inspire her, and why she likes books. She also talks about following your dreams and being unafraid to change your mind.
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Mone’t discuss mental health and self care. They emphasize the importance in surrounding yourself with love (both in your choice of friends and your choice of surroundings) in order to bring light into your life and stay present and positive. They also discuss the importance of caring for yourself beyond the bare necessities, struggles during quarantine, and more. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny discusses her seventeenth birthday (!!!), growing up, and missing being sixteen. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Sabra discuss the realities of being teenage Black girls, HBCUs vs PWIs, fetishization of various cultures, and more. This episode was a joy to record, so hopefully it’s a joy to listen to. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny gives advice to high schoolers looking to change their habits, build relationships, and have a good start to the year. She also reflects on the start of her senior year of high school and talks about what she hopes to achieve during her last hurrah. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Maimouna get together to talk all things high school and plans for afterward. The two also discuss art, emotions, and the passage of time (to name a few things). If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
This episode focuses on the creative process, reading, writing, and podcasting. Destiny discusses the feelings of a creative block, the importance of a community, and more. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
The premiere of season five discusses fun things to do over the summer, self growth, and learning new things. Destiny discusses the whole process of coming of age, being scared to change, and different aspects of friendship. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
This season’s finale contains the bookish opinions of Destiny and Autumn, the host of Nothing Else Here Podcast. They talk about tropes, adaptations, unpopular opinions, and more! This is one part of a two-part release with Autumn; the second part is on her podcast. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
In this episode, Destiny is joined by special guest Miguel, her friend and Color of Youth co-president. The two talk about summer shows, nostalgic books, overachieving, and plans for the future. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
Destiny talks about the start of summer, strange obsessions with media, shifting, and much more! If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
This episode discusses Destiny’s first time watching The Truman Show, her opinions on Wandavision, and what she thinks being a child star would be like. If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
Teen author Trinity Davis joins Destiny to show what it really means to be melanated and educated. The two talk about her journey while writing her book, Jona, the high school experience, and more. To see more of Trinity, follow her on Instagram and TikTok (@authortrinitydavis). If you want to support the podcast, follow on Instagram (@melanatedandeducatedpodcast), give positive ratings on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and continue to listen to episodes!
This episode reviews the Off-Campus series, talks about icks in books, and discusses reading commitment issues.
This episode talks about high school, virtually and in person, and the lessons learned each year.
This episode talks about prom, burnout, finding yourself, and the future. It also features some book talk!
This episode talks about the heavy sense of entitlement people feel towards those who are in the public eye, cyber bullying and harassment, and more.
This episode talks about science fair, boys, and of course, Bridgerton! It also features Jai’ana as a special guest.
This episode talks about the movie Poetic Justice, unapologetic Blackness, and the 90’s.
This episode talks about Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, the lack of empathy for men when it comes to being SA victims, mother-daughter relationships, and more.
This episode reviews The Love Con, Most Likely to Succeed, and Make a Scene. It also talks about judging a book by it’s cover, the comparison of platonic and romantic relationships, and more.
This episode talks about the dying tween era, BBLs, adultification, self image, mental health, and more. It also features a special guest!
This is the season three finale. It reflects on (almost) a year of podcasting, old episodes, and discusses hopes for the future.
This episode is a collaboration with the Everything & Absolutely Nothing Podcast. It focused on asking questions of our future selves and hopes for college. It was a very fun episode to make!
2022 has already been off to a wild start when it comes to virtual schooling, future planning, etc. In order to escape a bit, Destiny read. A lot. Here are the 21 books she’s read so far this year.
After the catastrophe that was the Jason Thorn duology, this episode talks about the soul-healing Dating Plan series by Sara Desai. It reviews, critiques, and more.
This episode reviews To Love Jason Thorne by Ella Maise and its sequel To Hate Adam Connor. There were high hopes for these books and WOW. Booktok was a let down! This episode discusses the highs, the (many) lows, and more.
This episode reviews One True Loves by Elise Bryant, talks about the highlights (literally and figuratively), the lowlights (is there a figurative way to say lowlights?), the romance (no other way to see that), and more.
This episode talked about goals for the upcoming year, having expectations for yourself, the enormous pressures of high school and identity, and more. It was pretty fun to just sit down it talk; it feels like it’s been forever since that’s happened. Hopefully you enjoyed!
In this episode, I talk about books (and series) I couldn’t finish reading, something other readers likely know all too well.
This episode talks about what it feels like to fade away from your friends, and how different types of relationships warrant different reactions. It also talks about toxic friendships, problem-solving, and finding your group.
This episode discusses Kulti by Mariana Zapata, a slow-burn romance about a professional soccer player and her team’s assistant coach. The book follows the enemies to lovers trope and has banter, sacrifice, and stubborn characters.
This episode talks about comparing yourself to others, surrounding yourself with negativity, loneliness, peer pressure, and more.
This episode is a review of audiobook “The Stand In” by Lily Chu. In it, I discuss my likes and dislikes as well as things I would have changed.
This episode talks about the books in The Kiss Quotient Trilogy: The Kiss Quotient, The Bride Test, and The Heart Principle. In the episode, I talk about my favorite book, the plots of each, and what I like and dislike about each of them.
This episode talks about how Black girls are constantly criticized for their appearance, especially their hair, features, and skin tone. It also talks about under representation, adultification, and more.
This episode compares Crave, Twilight, and Vampire Diaries. It also talks about how vampires are predators in more ways than one, the mistreatment and erasure of non-white supernaturals, and more.
In this episode, I talk about my opinions on the Saved by the Bell reboot. I also discuss my favorite characters, character relationships, and more.
This episode talks about The Love Hypothesis, books that came from fanfiction, Goodreads, and more.
This episode discusses forced diversity, the strange need to add struggles to the storylines of non-white characters, the stereotyping of Black characters and characters of color, and more.
This episode talks about the start of junior year, the unknowns that come with both being a teenager and living in a pandemic, and more.
This episode tells about the surprises and downfalls of the movie “The Suicide Squad” by James Gunn. Overall, the movie was very fun and would be easy to watch again.
This episode discusses first impressions of the season two premiere of Star Girl as well as hopes for later on in the season.
In this episode, I talk about my opinions on season two of “High School Musical the Musical the Series” a Disney+ original, as well as what I’d like to see in the next season and how I felt about the finale.
This episode discusses my two most recent reads which were both by Mariana Zapata: From Lukov with Love (which is so good and something you should definitely read) and The Wall of Winnipeg and Me (something you should also read).
In this episode, Destiny and special guest Summer talk about the Gossip Girl continuation/reboot and the rebooting of other popular teen shows.
This is another chill chat episode that talks about moving, reading, webtoons, and more!
This episode talks about the issues with chasing lifestyles that don’t exist in the real world and the craving to be the main character.
This episode discusses the book Perfectly Parvin, a story about a half Iranian girl trying to find her place in a world where the only beauty she sees is white and the only culture she knows doesn’t feel like it wants her at times.
This episode talks about the beginning of summer, recent movie/tv watched, pressure (from both others and yourself), and more.
This episode is about school, pressures we face as “gifted” students, goals for the future, and more. It also features two special guests: Amani and Lauren.
This episode talks about how anti-Blackness leads to Black girls having extremely low standards when it comes to potential romantic relationships and how they’re ultimately vilified for it.
This episode discusses the most recent season of the Nickelodeon show 'Are You Afraid of The Dark'. It covers favorite characters, things that could be changed, and how cliche has pros and cons.
This episode talks about how light and biracial people benefit from colorism and white supremacy when it comes to casting in films and television shows.
This episode discusses some of my most recent reads! The books discussed were "Fat Chance, Charlie Vega," "Legendborn," and "More to the Story." There's also a bonus book that doesn't quite fit the criteria but was still enjoyable.
This episode is a little less structured and more rant based. It focuses on the commercialization of black trauma, how it impacts real life, and how it's nice to escape it sometimes.
This episode talks about one of my favorite shows: True Beauty. It covers my favorite parts, what I wish I could change, and the differences from its predecessor.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode talks about how celebrities are never held accountable and their actions don't have real consequences.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode talks about the obsession with the beauty standard and looking young. It ends up leading to the question "What does being pretty even mean?" Honestly, there's not a concrete answer.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode talks about the diversity in my recent reading and how amazing it feels to be seen.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode is a discussion of the constant comparison of black people and people of color to white people even when they're on completely different levels. It also talks about how black people aren't considered worthy of living unless they're seen as doing something interesting or important.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, I talk about one of my favorite books from middle school and how my perspective has changed as I've gotten older.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
An episode with miscellaneous topics like virtual school, the CW and its shows, and planning the future. (Warning for mentions of abuse and murder when discussing characters in Legacies and TVD).
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This episode talks about how girls are trapped when it comes to their interests. If they like things like makeup and fashion, they're shallow and basic; if they like things like video games and sports, they're pick-mes. Ultimately, girls should be allowed to do and enjoy what they want without being judged.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app