Shoga Speaks — First Person Podcast By Robert Philipson cover art

Shoga Speaks — First Person

Shoga Speaks — First Person

By: Robert Philipson
Listen for free

Join Filmmaker Dr. Robert Philipson as he explores the intersection of Black and Queer identities, Black-Jewish interrelations, and Music.

© 2026 Shoga Speaks — First Person
Episodes
  • "Skinny" -- The Black babysitter narrates her life with the Philipsons
    Mar 19 2026

    Meet Doris Hale, the most intimate and important African American that my famlly knew and trusted, in her own words. Dr. Philipson conducted and transcribed the interview back in the early 90s. In anticipation of releasing the manuscript of the family memoir, we present certain chapters as podcasts performed by voice actors. "Skinny" was recorded and mixed by Joyce Licorish.

    Host Info
    Hosted by Dr. Robert Philipson
    Robert is a former professor of African-American studies with a passion for jazz and art. A published author and Harlem Renaissance historian, he has produced multiple films about the intersectionality of race, music, and sexuality.

    Connect With Us:
    Website: shogafilms.org
    Instagram: @shogafilms
    Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms
    Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms
    Sign up for our newsletter at shogafilms.org

    Website: www.shogafilms.com;
    Instagram: shogafilms;
    Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms;
    Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms

    Show more Show less
    18 mins
  • Still Life
    Mar 19 2026

    "I have concluded from the melancholy nature of my subsequent development that the artifacts hung up on a child's wall can have a permanent effect on his life."

    So begins the essay on the role the Art played in my formation, an evolution spanning Southern California, France, the groovy Sixties, Africa. "Still Life" will reveal the malefic influence of "the original Joe Vogel," plumb the mysteries of “Ten Nights in a Barrel,” revel in the salvation of Dutch realism -- and picture this, so much more!

    If you didn't grow up in a family of visual artists or art collectors, the prints and paintings that adorned the walls of your house were probably reproductions of the Beautiful (landscapes! Impressionist paintings! photographs from that amazing trip to South America!). What effect might this art which you took in consciously or not every day have upon whatever taste you developed as you became your own person? Welcome to the Philipson Museum of Eclectic and Accidental Art!

    Host Info
    Hosted by Dr. Robert Philipson
    Robert is a former professor of African-American studies with a passion for jazz and art. A published author and Harlem Renaissance historian, he has produced multiple films about the intersectionality of race, music, and sexuality.

    Music

    “What I’ll Do” - Chet Baker

    “Vincent” - Daniel Champagne

    “Lute Music - Netherlands: Courante” - Konrad Ragossnig

    “Magnetic Rag” - Scott Joplin

    "Pictures at an Exhibition" - Khatia Buniatishvili-Mussorgsky

    “Pictures at an Exhibition” The Piano Guys

    Connect With Us:
    Website: shogafilms.org
    Instagram: @shogafilms
    Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms
    Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms
    Sign up for our newsletter at shogafilms.org

    Website: www.shogafilms.com;
    Instagram: shogafilms;
    Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms;
    Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms

    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • The Goops
    Mar 19 2026

    What's in a bedtime story? More than you might imagine. As we were growing up, my father introduced his version of imaginary creatures, the goops, into our household and family life. Created as negative role models to teach manners to Victorian children, the goops first saw life in books of moralistic doggerel published in 1900 and after. "But it was their bad behavior that led my father to adopt them for his own." In this episode you will also be treated to one of my father's Prince Bagel stories, a world he invented whole cloth for his children as we piled on our parents' beds to listen in wonderment.

    "This was the mystery of the goops, and, in fact, the mystery that I never had understood about storytelling before. The goops did not spring ex nihilo from my father's head. They were an expression of his love. The stories were told to somebody."

    Best to listen to this episode in your jammies.

    Host Info
    Hosted by Dr. Robert Philipson
    Robert is a former professor of African-American studies with a passion for jazz and art. A published author and Harlem Renaissance historian, he has produced multiple films about the intersectionality of race, music, and sexuality.

    Music

    “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” - Billy Joel

    “Gymnopédie No. 3” - Martin Hederos

    "My Blue Heaven" - Artie Shaw

    "Spiegel im Spiegel" - Arvo Pärt

    Connect With Us:
    Website: shogafilms.org
    Instagram: @shogafilms
    Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms
    Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms
    Sign up for our newsletter at shogafilms.org

    Website: www.shogafilms.com;
    Instagram: shogafilms;
    Facebook: facebook.com/shogafilms;
    Twitter: twitter.com/shogafilms

    Show more Show less
    17 mins
No reviews yet