Truth Be Told is the podcast where life according to the Benjamins meets the unfiltered stories of others who’ve faced real battles—and found real grace. Hosted by Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin, this show dives into the messy, painful, often hidden chapters of life: abortion, addiction, shame, rejection, and restoration.
…
continue reading
Yolanda Benjamin Podcasts
We havin’ a house party! Welcome to The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance podcast, a prelude to the world premiere of an immersive dance-theater experience created by renowned choreographer and director Raja Feather Kelly, with Philadelphia’s finest poet, Yolanda Wisher. Listen in as 5 multifaceted dancers tell the evolving story of social dance and the impact that it’s had on the people and cultures of Philadelphia. Come on in, and let’s move. This podcast is produced by Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr ...
…
continue reading
You didn’t ask for this. You didn’t vote yourself in. But somehow, you’re still the one marked for the mission. In this episode, the Benjamins unpack the mystery of being chosen when you didn’t raise your hand and what it means to say yes to a calling that found you first. Truth be told… you didn’t choose this path, but you were never meant to sit …
…
continue reading
1
The Power of Choice in a World Full of Voices
20:34
20:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:34
In a culture where opinions are loud and pressures are constant, the freedom to choose whom you will serve has never been more important. In this episode of Truth Be Told, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin talk about the gift of free will and the responsibility that comes with it. They share personal stories of raising children, leading by example, and r…
…
continue reading
1
Church Hurt, Family Drama, and the Voice That Cuts Through It All
20:13
20:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:13
When the noise of religion drowns out the sound of grace, and the people who should protect you end up wounding you—what do you do? In this candid episode, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin open up about the pain of church betrayal, family tension, and the spiritual confusion that followed. But this isn’t just a story of hurt—it’s a story of how the voic…
…
continue reading
It’s not about being polished—it’s about being present. In this episode, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin share how the power of the gospel comes alive in ordinary moments with ordinary people. From a road rage encounter that turned into a roadside salvation to leading a stranger to Christ at a department store, this conversation is full of real-life st…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Truth Be Told, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin wrestle with a powerful question: What if the healing, the breakthrough, the assignment… was never meant for the crowd, but for the one? Yolanda shares the raw emotions of leading a post-abortion healing class that almost didn’t happen—because only one woman showed up. But what unfolded …
…
continue reading
1
The Day I Held My Dying Daughter and Found My Purpose
21:03
21:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:03
What if the moment that broke you was also the moment God called you? In this deeply moving episode of Truth Be Told, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin share the heartbreaking story of their daughter Natasha—born with severe complications after years of addiction, trauma, and spiritual blindness. She lived only five days. But in those five days, everythi…
…
continue reading
1
I Was an Addict, a Liar, and Still Chased by God
21:09
21:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:09
What if God isn’t waiting for you to get it together—because He already came for you at your worst? In this gripping episode of Truth Be Told, Darwin Benjamin shares the raw, unfiltered truth of his salvation story. From addiction, abortion, and pride to the night Jesus broke through the chaos—Darwin holds nothing back. No pretending. No religious …
…
continue reading
1
Abortion Left a Hole—Forgiveness Made Me Whole
20:49
20:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:49
Behind every smile was a secret. Behind every high, a hurt they couldn’t shake. In this honest episode, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin tell the story of how abortion and addiction left them broken—and how the relentless love of God put the pieces back together. It’s not just about what they did—it’s about who God is. A healer, a restorer, and the one …
…
continue reading
1
From Shame to Healing: Our Truth About Abortion, Addiction, and Redemption
23:46
23:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:46
In this raw and powerful first episode of Truth Be Told, Darwin and Yolanda Benjamin share the unfiltered truth of their journey—from abortion, addiction, and brokenness to the healing power of God’s grace. Yolanda opens up about her past as a preacher’s kid, the pain of four abortions, and how a journey of healing set her free from shame. Darwin s…
…
continue reading
1
"Time is a Mother" with Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher
40:01
40:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:01
Our final episode of the podcast is a conversation between co-creators Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher on the eve of the final show, reflecting on the culmination of their vision for the world premiere of The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance. They highlight unforgettable moments in the premiere at Christ Church Neighborhood House and share wha…
…
continue reading
In this episode, we chat with the cast of the Re-Emancipation of Social Dance show about their process of devising their individual sections of the show. Initiated by prompts from Raja, the dancers sit down together after their first rehearsal in early 2024 and reflect on their creative process thus far. Germaine gets into the musical inspirations …
…
continue reading
1
“Emancipate corporeality, material existence, the human condition” with Vitche Boul-Ra
27:20
27:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:20
In this episode, host Raja Feather Kelly talks with Vitche-Boul Ra, a self-described transhumanist and folk theurgist. Coming from a background in sculpture, Ra's practice as a choreographer and dancer involves pulling things apart, putting things back together, and making something out of nothing. In this episode, Ra and Raja ponder questions like…
…
continue reading
1
"Emancipate Us" with Nikki Powerhouse and Mark "Metal" Wong
45:44
45:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:44
This week we're joined by poet, performer, dancer and educator Nikki Powerhouse and Mark Wong aka Metal, a breaker, teaching artist and arts administrator. Nikki and Mark sit down to discuss how Philly's nightlife scene has fed their practice as dancers. From house clubs and queer spaces like The Nile to break dance battles at events like West Phil…
…
continue reading
1
"Emancipate hearts" with Lela Aisha Jones
39:18
39:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:18
Lela Aisha Jones is a movement performance artist, community-based curator/organizer, inter-arts interdisciplinary collaborator, and embodied researcher. Lela, Raja and Yolanda first collided in divine order during a brunch in Philadelphia. Now a member of The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance ensemble, Lela talks about coming to Philly via New York …
…
continue reading
1
“Emancipate a sense of wonder and play” with Germaine Ingram
28:09
28:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:09
“Recovered” lawyer, archivist, choreographer, and dancer, Germaine Ingram is a cultural force in Philadelphia. Germaine was involved with ODUNDE’s Hucklebuck to Hip Hop African American Social Dance project in the 1990s, a critical reference for The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance. Now in her seventies, Germaine takes listeners through the lineage …
…
continue reading
1
“Unearth what is already here” with Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher
21:06
21:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:06
Where did the idea for The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance come from? This episode is a behind the scenes dip into archival audio from “day one” of the project. Co-creators Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher sit down to discuss why Philadelphia is a special case study when it comes to social dance. The two artists talk about what it means to pra…
…
continue reading
1
The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance Podcast Trailer
1:06
1:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06
Welcome to The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance podcast, a prelude to the world premiere of an immersive dance-theater experience created by renowned choreographer and director Raja Feather Kelly, with Philadelphia’s finest poet, Yolanda Wisher. Listen in as 5 multifaceted dancers tell the evolving story of social dance and the impact that it’s had …
…
continue reading
