The Cause Podcast

The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy with Dr. Reiland Rabaka

The Cause Podcast: Conversation on Music, History and Democracy with Dr. Reiland Rabaka

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"as far as I’m concerned, I was never working for an organization. I have always tried to work for a cause, and the cause to me is bigger than any organization. Bigger than any group of people, and it is the cause of humanity. The cause is the cause that brings us together, the drive of the human spirit for freedom." —Ella Baker, "Address at the Hattiesburg Freedom Day Rally," Hattiesburg, Mississippi, January 21, 1964

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Produced by the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy is a biweekly podcast that examines the cultural, historical, and political forces shaping our world. Hosted by Dr. Reiland Rabaka, Professor of African, African American, and Caribbean Studies and Founder and Director of the Center for African and African American Studies, the podcast brings Black intellectual traditions into conversation with contemporary struggles for justice and democracy.

Through music, historical analysis, cultural criticism, and storytelling, The Cause explores how artistic expression and collective memory inform movements for freedom. Each episode amplifies voices, ideas, and traditions that challenge injustice, confront historical erasure, and imagine more just and democratic futures.

New episodes publish every other week and air one week later on KVCU Radio 1190. Listeners are invited to engage deeply with the conversations, explore curated playlists and episode resources, and join a growing community committed to cultural knowledge, critical inquiry, and collective responsibility.

Listen to The Cause and take part in an ongoing conversation about culture, history, and the work of building a more just world.

Ways to Listen

New to The Cause? Start here.
Get a quick taste of what our podcast is all about with this short trailer featuring Dr. Reiland Rabaka. The Cause explores the powerful intersection of music, history, and democracy—highlighting voices, stories, and rhythms that have shaped social change.

You can listen to The Cause Podcast on all major platforms including , , , and , as well as right here on our Episodes page. Plus, tune in to Radio 1190 (92.9 FM / 1190 AM) every other Tuesday at 7 a.m., on the air or .

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