What's Ray Saying?

Storyteller Ray Christian shares personal stories as a sixty-something combat veteran, historian, and goat-wrangling father of six living in the rural mountains of Appalachia, all told through the fabric of centuries of Black history.

A River Runs Through It

Ray goes back to Richmond and examines his evolution from ghetto kid to seasoned storyteller, taking a prideful look at the ways our environments and the bonds of family shape us. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

12-27
29:18

What Do I Tell My Son About Being a Man?

In a drive to the airport with his son, Ray talks about the perilous crossroads he faced in defining his masculinity. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

12-20
27:33

Letters Home

After getting a response from a 30-year-old letter, Ray explores a legacy of correspondence—from his personal experience writing for illiterate parents and soldiers to the fascinating role mail has played in Black military history. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

12-13
31:13

Know Your Place

Ray has a candid conversation with scholar and journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika, looking at the historic legacy of Jim Crow, how each of their families learned to navigate these codes, and the ways both men work against the idea of “staying in your place”. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

12-06
33:50

This is the Sound of My Voice

A young Ray Christian becomes captivated by the mysterious voices coming out of the radio and quickly discovers that there are rules and repercussions to being Black and talking a certain way. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

11-29
29:27

Black in the Military

Ray looks back on his decision to join the army, unraveling a complicated history of Black military service and reflecting on the surprising changes the armed forces made in his life. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

11-22
31:22

Ruffling Through Our Closet

A look at Black fashion—from zoot suits to Soul Train to a complicated history of advertising. Plus, Ray reflects on the time he dropped out of school because he didn't have the right clothes. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

11-15
34:50

Black Medicine

To better understand the treatment of the ills, injuries and minds of Black Americans, Ray reflects on his first experience of going to the doctor. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

11-08
30:45

What's Ray Saying is Back!

What’s Ray Saying is back! Immerse yourself in a world of Southern-baked personal narratives, interwoven with Black American history, all told through the lens of Ray Christian's remarkable life. In each episode, the award-winning storyteller, combat veteran, historian, and devoted father of six, invites you to become part of his community, as he shares stories from the scenic mountains of Appalachia. What’s Ray Saying? is created, hosted, and written by Ray Christian and recorded in the great state of North Carolina. Mark Pagán is the senior producer. Jonathan Cabral is the associate producer. Story editing by Mark Pagán with development support from The Moth. Sound design by Rebecca Seidel. Original music comes from RJ Christian and Blue Dot Sessions. To find out more about What Ray’s Saying? visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or at whatraysaying.com. This series is supported by PRX, The Moth, and listeners like you.

11-01
02:40

WRS Classic: Childs Play

In this episode, Ray explores the legacy of Black Children taken as slaves from Africa, growing up on plantations and the impact on their social worth and development in America.

04-18
38:14

WRS Classic: Blacks and Indians

Ray explores the complex history and relationship between Black Americans and the Native people of America.

08-21
30:23

WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 3—Challenging Authority

Ray explores Black leadership from the 1940s to now to reflect on it challenges and its legacies.

08-06
16:13

WRS Classic: Black Leadership Part 2—The Elite Class

Ray explores Black leadership from the emergence of an elite class, with varying perspectives and experiences.

12-21
33:49

WRS Classic: Black American Leadership Part 1—Sources and Origins

In this episode part one of a three part series on Black leadership, Ray explores the origins of Black influence and authority in America.

06-14
33:57

WRS Classic: Black Hair Issues

Ray explores the cultural and historical significance of Afro textured hair.

02-26
28:08

WRS Classic: Black Americans and the Police

Ray explores the history and complicated relationship with Black Americans and the police.

02-11
26:38

WRS Classic: Black in the City

Ray explores Black American association with the South and why Black are concentrated in urban areas of the country.

01-31
29:37

WRS Classic: Black American Naming Practices

Ray talks about Black American naming practice, history, traditions and conventions from slavery to the 20th century.

01-24
26:04

WRS Classic: The Storyteller's Journey Part 3

Ray completes the long journey of getting his stories heard, tells his life story and puts storytelling in context.

01-13
24:03

WRS Classic: The Storytellers Journey Part 2

Ray continues to explore his storytelling journey after the RISK! show. He talks about his appearance on The Moth Radio Hour, a story in Readers Digest and his performance on Snap Judgment, the impact of this story and his reflections on storytelling.

04-17
26:16

Londau Denton

I'm so glad this is back.

11-08 Reply

Amanda Hicks Hewitt

I am a Risk listener.. I was excited to hear you had your own podcast I love your stories binge listening now. ❤❤

01-08 Reply

Ian Highcock

Absolutely mesmerizing! White America, dare you tap into the hidden source of all black knowledge? But beware, whitesplain and you will fall prey to one of the many traps Ray has set around the premises to catch ignorance, arrogance, and bigotry!

08-08 Reply

Recommend Channels