
The Best of “Need to Know” A 2025 Year in Review
26/12/2025 | 19 min
Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/the-best-of-need-to-know-a-2025-year-in-reviewEpisode Video Link: This special “Best of” episode brings together some of the most powerful and thought-provoking moments from Need to Know with Dr. Nsenga Burton throughout 2025. Curated from her standout episodes of the year, this collection captures Dr. Burton at her sharpest, most direct, and most unapologetic.Across these clips, Dr. Burton breaks down critical issues, including the lasting impact of January 6th, threats to democratic institutions like the Federal Reserve, the Georgia Heartbeat Bill, voter disenfranchisement, and the ongoing erosion of reproductive rights. She also confronts the misrepresentation of affirmative action, the weaponization of chaos and misinformation in media, and the real human consequences tied to maternal mortality and economic policy, including tariffs.Taken together, these moments reflect the throughline of Need to Know in 2025: truth over comfort, context over headlines, and civic responsibility over complacency. This episode is both a recap and a reminder, designed to sharpen awareness, challenge assumptions, and reinforce why staying informed is essential, especially when the noise is loudest.This is Need to Know at its best.▶︎ In This Episode00:00: Introduction and Holiday Announcement00:50: Reflections on January 6th and Political Commentary01:38: Economic Policies and Federal Reserve Critique02:16: Personal Stories and Social Issues03:33: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Discussion05:12: Critique of Elon Musk and Privacy Concerns05:48: Black Women's Struggles and Contributions08:47: Gun Violence and School Safety12:15: Voter ID Laws and Women's Rights16:58: Veterans' Issues and Political Chaos17:54: Reproductive Rights and Women's Health18:59: Conclusion and Farewell🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media

Holiday Traditions, Family Tension, and Finding Peace
24/12/2025 | 54 min
Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/holiday-traditions-family-tension-and-finding-peaceEpisode Video Link: In this episode of BEP Live on A Black Executive Perspective Podcast, hosts Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed take an honest look at the holiday season beyond the surface. They reflect on their own Christmas traditions, family dynamics, and how race, expectations, and lived experience shape the way the holidays are experienced and discussed.The conversation explores protecting your peace, managing family expectations, and finding meaning amid the noise and commercialization of Christmas. Tony and Chris also share personal stories, memories that shaped their perspectives, and why empathy and awareness matter, especially during a season that can be joyful for some and difficult for others. This episode invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and approach the holidays with intention, presence, and humanity.▶︎ In This Episode00:00: Introduction and Show Overview00:49: Holiday Traditions and Family Dynamics01:39: Christmas in Different Climates06:25: The Reality of Christmas for Many Families13:45: Memorable Childhood Gifts25:57: Family Traditions and Celebrations28:54: Family Holiday Memories29:09: Thanksgiving vs. Christmas Traditions30:15: Kids and Holiday Activities31:17: Revitalizing Christmas Traditions31:37: Christmas Tree Adventures32:42: Christmas Shopping and Traditions35:06: The Spirit of Christmas38:13: Favorite Christmas Movies and Traditions39:42: Gifts and Santa Claus47:13: Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExecLinkedIn If You’ve Never Heard of Black Theater, That’s Not an Accident. 23/12/2025 | 1 h 11 min Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/if-youve-never-heard-of-black-theater-thats-not-an-accident-Episode Video Link: In this powerful episode of A Black Executive Perspective Podcast, host Tony Tidbit sits down with Dr. Monica White Ndounou, an award-winning scholar, director, and cultural strategist, to confront an uncomfortable truth. Black theater has shaped American culture for centuries, yet remains largely invisible.From the groundbreaking legacy of the African Grove Theatre in 1821 to modern efforts like Black Theater Day, this conversation traces the brilliance, resilience, and systemic neglect of Black theater institutions. Dr. Monica breaks down why this erasure is not accidental, how funding gaps and lack of awareness threaten survival, and why supporting Black theater is not charity; it is an investment in culture, history, and community.This episode challenges listeners to rethink what they know, question what they were never taught, and recognize the collective responsibility required to preserve Black theater for future generations.This is not just a history lesson. It is a wake-up call.▶︎ In This Episode00:00: Unruly Incident and Racial Injustice01:24: Introduction to A Black Executive Perspective Podcast01:59: Guest Introduction: Dr. Monica White Ndounou04:48: Personal Background and Family Life06:30: The Importance of Black Theater08:07: Black Theater Day and Its Significance11:11: Historical Context of Black Theater25:28: Challenges and Funding Issues in Black Theater34:51: Support and Community Involvement37:40: The State of Black Theaters in the U.S.38:36: Historical Challenges and Resilience39:44: The African Grove Theater Story44:42: Modern Black Theater and Community Support50:17: Collaboration and Future Strategies57:39: Call to Action and Final Thoughts🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media DEI Wasn’t the Problem. Cowardly Leadership Was 19/12/2025 | 1 h 8 min Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/dei-wasnt-the-problem-cowardly-leadership-wasEpisode Video Link: In this episode of BEP Live on A Black Executive Perspective Podcast, Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed confront the real reason DEI efforts stall, not because the ideas are flawed, but because too many leaders retreat when truth creates discomfort.The conversation opens with Grace Fooden Correy, host of the newly launched A Mixed Executive Perspective Podcast, as she shares her leadership journey and why honest conversations matter when navigating identity, culture, and power. From there, the discussion expands into a powerful breakdown of an interview with Katie Couric and Bryan Stevenson, examining how historical narratives, cultural conditioning, and corporate fear continue to undermine real progress.This episode challenges performative DEI, calls out the absence of accountability, and makes one thing clear, progress requires leaders willing to sit in discomfort, own the truth, and act with courage.This is not about optics. It’s about leadership.▶︎ In This Episode00:00: Introduction to Tonight's Discussion00:54: Interview with Grace Fooden Correy01:39: Grace's Background and Career Journey03:53: Launching 'A Mixed Executive Perspective' Podcast08:55: The Fragility of DEI12:02: Historical Context of Racial Narratives18:50: The Impact of Cultural Narratives on DEI23:59: Challenges and Progress in Racial Equality36:42: Employee's Promotion Struggles38:13: Navigating White Culture40:50: DEI Misconceptions42:03: Corporate Accountability45:02: Challenges in the Fashion Industry47:36: The Rooney Rule and Opportunities48:21: Personal Reflections on DEI53:36: Bryan Stevenson's Courtroom Experience59:51: Final Thoughts and Optimism01:02:20: Upcoming Episodes and Closing Remarks🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Bias? 18/12/2025 | 7 min Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/artificial-intelligence-or-artificial-bias Episode Video Link: In this episode of Need to Know, Dr. Nsenga Burton cuts through the AI hype to examine what artificial intelligence really is and more importantly, what it isn’t. She breaks down how AI often reflects human bias, spreads misinformation, and disproportionately fails to serve historically marginalized communities.Dr. Burton challenges listeners to stop treating AI as an authority and start using it as a tool. She emphasizes the importance of personal research, critical thinking, and digital literacy in an era where misinformation travels faster than truth.This conversation is a reminder that technology is only as responsible as the people who build it, feed it, and blindly trust it. If you use AI, this is one episode you can’t afford to ignore.▶︎ In This Episode 00:00: Introduction and Welcome00:19: Understanding AI and Its Limitations01:35: AI's Impact on Disenfranchised Groups03:36: The Importance of Critical Thinking06:55: Conclusion and Final Thoughts🔗 Resources Links and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and Subscribe Listen to this episode and subscribe for future updates subscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit" if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExecLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeTwitterTikTok





TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective