In My Opinion: An Indie Podcast That Engages Our Minds

The podcasting industry has become a deal making paradise with Spotify, Amazon (via Audible), National Geographic, PBS and other media brands making a stretch run into the podcasting space.

So it’s refreshing when a podcast comes along that reminds us of podcasting’s early roots, with media neophytes recording podcasts without the benefit of corporate sponsorship and deep pockets.

In My Opinion, a podcast with Charles and Fab, comes along at a time when seemingly everyone has opinions about recent events but not many can verbalize them coherently. Charles and Fab met in graduate school and spent two years in the same cohort program and from that academic closeness built a self-sustaining friendship.

 The co-hosts offer sketchy biographical details about their lives, even in their episode called Origin Story, but it’s clear their collective voice offers insights into our culture that should resonate with listeners.

Charles and Fab, thirty-ish African-American professionals have found a comfortable place to discuss potentially explosive issues with a sanguine, informed tone that replaces caviling and crankiness with curiosity and crisp intellectual rigor.

For example, the episode on Aunt Jemina and the history of the brand name and its relevance today is emblematic of the duo’s exploration into controversial topics. Instead of simple righteous indignation at the use of the name, the co-hosts explore its history, explain the stereotype of the “mammy,” a caricature posited during Jim Crow as proof that blacks -- in this case, black women -- were contented, even happy, as slaves. Her wide grin, hearty laughter, and loyal servitude were offered as evidence of the supposed humanity of the institution of slavery.

So instead of a knee-jerk cancel culture reaction, the co-hosts explain why these brands, including Uncle Ben, are offensive in today’s society.

The podcast doesn’t focus exclusively on race relations and expands its vision to tackle topics often not covered by other podcasts.

For example, they explore the concept of open marriage, focusing on Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and in an episode a month later engage in lively discussion of how chivalry and feminism can co-exist.

Their third episode titled “Is The Bar Too Low” is a fascinating discussion of the constitutional qualifications for being president. In the episode, Charles and Fab offer thoughts on additional qualifications they think may be needed.

So far, the duo has also included “Minisodes” into the mix that are short versions of their episodes of a more improvisational nature. An example is “What Grinds My Gears” where Fab complains about people pushing the Up and Down elevator button and Charles rants about people sneezing on the train.

These short bursts of personal hot buttons are fun and relatable, but the full-blown episodes are where these two truly shine, their cerebral bandwidth on full display.

For an “indie” podcast, the music adds to the upbeat flavor of the podcast and both hosts have voices that ingratiate themselves into listeners’ ears. They’re articulate and witty without being too polished. 

"Fab and Charles's energy is so engaging and magnetic," says Angel, a super fan of the podcast. "I often find myself responding and chiming in as if I was in the studio with them! You will not regret tuning in to this hidden treasure. You will walk away with some knowledge, a few laughs and perhaps a different perspective on things."

While production quality is solid, Charles’ voice seems closer to the microphone than Fab’s voice, who sounds farther away, as if one microphone is being used.

Finally, In My Opinion demonstrates that there is still a strong demand for well-produced and carefully crafted indie podcasts. In the case of In My Opinion, Charles and Fab enable us to join them on journeys that range from branding based on stereotypes to presidential qualifications and from open marriage conundrums to the co-existence of chivalry and feminism.

It’s a podcast well worth a listen.

Check it out here.