Podcasting With A Purpose

On the morning of June 7, 2020, the sun rose, illuminating the newly renovated signs at the major entry points to Appomattox County, Virginia, just as it had for decades. These signs convey a powerful message, reading: “Where Our Nation Reunited.” One hundred and fifty-five years ago, on April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant beneath an apple tree in Appomattox County; signaling the end of the long and bitter American Civil War. This event took place many lifetimes before, however, on the seventh day of June in the year 2020, the sun rose on a community and a nation that some might say was as divided as it was on that fateful afternoon so many years ago.

The country was wrought with anguish and anger over the killing of a Minneapolis man by the name of George Floyd, African-American, at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin, Caucasian. Eight minutes and forty-six seconds was all that it took for a life to be taken, and for a spark to reignite the smoldering undergrowth of systemic racism and police brutality in America.

The video of George Floyd’s death circulated and resulted in calls for justice from corners of the internet to street corners in cities across the nation. Members and supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement took to the streets, calling for justice for Floyd and an end to the disproportionately high number of incidents of police brutality involving members of the black community. George Floyd’s case was not unique, but occurred in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that was ravaging the country already embroiled in a contentious political landscape with a presidential election expected in just a few short months.

On the afternoon of June 7, 2020, members of the Appomattox Sheriff’s Department as well as members of the community gathered on the lawn of the county courthouse in anticipation of a demonstration in support of the Black Lives Matter movement that had been making headlines. Demonstrators were encouraged to make statements, join in chants, and display signs prior to engaging in a police-escorted march through downtown Appomattox.

At the head of this march was life-long community member Anthony “Train” Johnson, Jr., a 32-year-old African American man, born and raised in Appomattox. Anthony is a well-known figure in both the communities of Appomattox as well as the neighboring City of Lynchburg. He is a prominent member of multiple local activist groups including the Freedom Steppers, a Lynchburg-based organization formed with the goal of encouraging and enabling members of low-income communities to register to vote and participate in elections. Anthony is also involved with Appomattox For Equality, an Appomattox-based organization formed in order to hold events that encourage discourse and spread awareness about issues that effect the community.

Anthony feels very strongly about the work he does with these groups, but his true passion lies in a project he launched in the summer of 2020: his podcast entitled “Candid Talk with Anthony Train Johnson.” Anthony was inspired to start his podcast as a way to feed the minds and hearts of people like him, who want a show that cannot be boxed into a single category. A typical episode might include celebrity gossip, current events, sports commentary, and even the exploration of conspiracy theory mixed in with “real life talk” that virtually everyone can relate to. Anthony also aims to use his platform as a place to spotlight other local talent from comedians to rappers to musicians across the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia region.

Anthony tends to keep the discussions light and fun, but he is not afraid to tackle hard topics head on. Candid Talk began the month of March 2021 with an episode spotlighting special guest Tiana Hall, a Lynchburg native that wanted to share her story of survival through teenage pregnancy, drug addiction, incarceration, and mental health issues. This episode broke records in streams and downloads in just the first 48 hours following its release. Through his podcast, Anthony is encouraging open discussion and understanding amongst people who may share a community but may not otherwise know each other’s stories. The community of compassion and empathy that Anthony is building through Candid Talk is a unifying force that our country so desperately needs.