VPR RADIO PRESENTS: ‘SAME DIFFERENCE’ PODCAST
AUTHOR DR. JD MASS & AWARD-WINNING STORYTELLER KORY MAY
HOST ‘SAME DIFFERENCE’ PODCAST
‘Same Difference’ Podcast to Empower Ideas for Re-imagining America Without Racism
October 24, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL, October 24, 2023— Race continues to be a hot topic in America with conversations emphasizing our differences, but two men are looking to address race from a unique perspective.
A white man from the city and a black man from rural America are joining forces this October to launch ‘Same Difference,’ a new podcast presented by VPR Radio, that will challenge racism by seeking a deeper understanding of experiences that affect us all.
Starting October 17 and releasing a new episode every Tuesday, the duo will talk the whole gamut of life as they each see it through the prism of race. No matter their many differences — Mass is 5’4 and May is 6’4 — they promise to make you think.
Jesse ‘JD’ Mass is an activist and entrepreneur originally from Philadelphia and raised in a diverse community in St. Louis, Missouri. JD witnessed the effects of discrimination and cultural differences, igniting a profound curiosity about the root causes of bigotry and racism. After earning his Doctorate in Organizational Psychology while working in white anti-racism spaces, Mass recognized the wisdom he gained from his experiences needed different platforms, inspiring him to author ‘Race For What?’ a memoir and seven step-guide to healing the harms of racism.
Kory May is a gifted communicator and five-time Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking semifinalist. May is a competitive storyteller who has won a Moth Radio Hour Grand Slam and has been featured on public radio and podcasts alike. May credits his study of Political Science at the University of Iowa for his in-depth understanding of how societies operate. In another career, he worked around engineers and gained further insights for a different style of analytical thinking.
‘Same Difference’ will dive into their ironic upbringings and perspectives — “we were both a racial minority amongst our peers,” Mass says, and “now we get to share what that experience is like.”
“Through storytelling, we can open people’s eyes and ears to hear things they can relate to, widen people’s lens and explore what different races go through in interacting with one another,” May says. “We purposely have NOT gotten to know each other and will be doing so on the podcast — this is what makes it so unique. You’ll get to know us as we get to know each other.”
Audiences can expect topics on how systematic racism, structural exclusion, and controlled resources all contribute to racism and how to build a community with a foundation of peace and health. The duo will also take on race and culture in relation to various topics such as sports, politics, and current events.
For media inquiries, contact Jesse ‘JD’ Mass, PsyD., co-founder of the ‘Same Difference’ podcast at (314) 324 – 1618 or race4what@gmail.com
For more info, visit www.samedifference.life