Whether it’s an essay on last night’s viral moment, a deep dive into a favorite celebrity’s career, or a hot take that sets social media on fire, cultural critique is something that helps us analyze, question, and understand the world around us. But what makes a good piece of criticism? And why do we sometimes embrace it—or resist it—so strongly?

Joining us this week to talk intimately about the state of cultural criticism is journalist, writer, and care worker,  J Wortham. You may know J as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, where they co-hosted the podcast ‘Still Processing —  a weekly show about pop culture, television, films, books, music, and the internet. J is also a sound healer, reiki practitioner, and herbalist oriented towards healing justice and liberation. During our conversation, we discuss the role of the critic in our society, how to distinguish between a care-centered vs. a bad-faith critique, and the ways in which platforms like Twitter and TikTok have made criticism so accessible in both good and bad ways.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

 

Where to Find J

Substack

Website

Instagram

Twitter

 

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

 

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

 

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

Associate Producer: Zariah Taylor

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.