Rebel Spirit

Avsnitt

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  Episode 10: The Flags We Plant 21.07.2026 28min

  In our final episode of Season 2, Akilah reflects on the journey of replacing the Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State House and everything she has learned along the way through incredible conversations with our guests. Sometimes the journey has been slow and frustrating, but it has been exceedingly worth the effort. Even if progress takes time, plant the flag. You don't have to be the one who sees it fly.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer.  Produced and written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to all our guests this season. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.  And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 9: You Can't Hide History 14.07.2026 30min

  Still slightly reeling from last week's revelations, Akilah takes a step back to look more broadly at the role monuments play in telling our country's full history. Through a conversation with Hamza Walker, director of The Brick and co-curator of 'Monuments' - an exhibit in Los Angeles that displays decommissioned monuments, many of them Confederate, alongside modern works of art - Akilah learns more about the ways we view monuments and how that can shape their value in telling the truth about history.   Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer.  Produced and written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guest this episode, Hamza Walker.  Reporting from The President's House in Philadelphia by Helen Ubinas. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.  And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 8: Son of A Mitch 07.07.2026 36min

  After a shocking new development in her efforts to replace the Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State Capitol, Akilah learns you sometimes have to be careful what you wish for.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer.  Produced and written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guests this episode, Jamelle Bouie and Joe Sonka.  If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.  And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 7: The Daughters 30.06.2026 27min

  Throughout this season Akilah has spoken with many people - historians, politicians, journalists, artists, designers - and in every conversation one name keeps coming up. The Daughters of the Confederacy. So in today's episode, Akilah is taking a closer look.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guest this episode Rivka Maizlish and Karen Cox.  If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 6: Killing Dead Confederates 23.06.2026 27min

  Historian and retired Brigadier General Ty Seidule speaks with Akilah about his experience as vice chair of the Congressional Naming Commission which was tasked with redesignating Department of Defense assets that honor Confederates. And how he continues with his efforts to shout down the Confederacy despite a continuing backslide fueled by the current administration.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guest this episode Ty Seidule. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 5: Oh, Shenandoah 16.06.2026 31min

  This week, Akilah takes a close look at Shenandoah County, Virginia, where one of the more public fights over Confederate iconography has been playing out over the past few years. In 2020, two schools in Shenandoah County named after Confederate generals were changed to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School. However, the racists fought to change the names back. Incredibly, the students took up the challenge. Akilah speaks with a local journalist and a lawyer representing the students in this legal battle to get a full scope of what it takes to defeat the Confederacy...again. Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Email read voice performance by Niccole Thurman. Special thanks to our guests this episode, Clyde McGrady, Nate Kline, Ty Seidule and Kaitlin Banner. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 4: Erasing History 09.06.2026 38min

  Akilah welcomes Clint Smith, a writer who extensively covers race in America and has been cataloguing the dismantling of Confederate monuments and memorials since 2017. He and Akilah discuss the work required to help this country become the version of itself that was promised.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guests this episode, Paul Farber and Clint Smith.  If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 3: Making Monuments 02.06.2026 29min

  After deciding on a replacement monument she wants to advocate for, Akilah dives deep into what it takes to actually get a new monument in place. Through conversations with monument makers and preservationists, she starts to build her plan.   Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guests this episode, Paul Farber and Nekisha Durett.  If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 2: The Rotunda 26.05.2026 34min

  Akilah narrows her aim at an empty corner of the Kentucky State House where a Jefferson Davis monument once stood. She tries to chase down Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear who advocated for the removal of the Jefferson Davis monument and comes up with what might be the perfect option to replace it.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guests this episode, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky State Senator Chris McDaniel. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 1: Back To Work 19.05.2026 33min

  In our Season Two premiere, Akilah catches up on the latest from her hometown of Florence, Kentucky as she begins to explore how the same Confederate legacy she challenged locally is resurging across America. Through conversations with a couple familiar voices from Season One, she lays out how mascots and monuments are directly tied to the present political moment, and why the fight over who gets remembered is far from over.  Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts.  Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer. Produced and Written by Dan Sinker.  Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen. Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller.  Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. Our theme song is All The Things I Couldn’t Say performed by Busty and The Bass, courtesy of Arts and Crafts Records.  Special thanks to our guests this episode, Hillary Delaney and Amber Hoffman. If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Coming Soon... Rebel Spirit Season 2 12.05.2026 2min

  This season, Akilah takes her fight to the Kentucky State House in an attempt to replace a recently removed Confederate statue with a monument everyone can be proud of. Grounded in her own lived experiences, Season Two explores how monuments aren’t just markers of history -- they’re battlegrounds for the values we’re still negotiating today. Tune in when the new season premieres May 19.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 12: Erasures 25.02.2025 21min

  It's the last episode of the season, and Akilah is thinking about her home, Florence, Kentucky. Over the course of our reporting, we've been told how much the town and county are changing, how much more diverse they're getting. What does the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and diversity mean for Florence? What does it mean for all of us? One last open record request underscores what we're up against, even as the battle feels larger than ever. To view a selection of the open records we received from the school, along with bonus content for other episodes, visit our new website: https://rebelspiritpodcast.com If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you! Correction: We reference Linda McMahon as Education Secretary in this episode, as of publishing she is just the nomination.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 11: Open Records 11.02.2025 30min

  Since our last episode, we've heard rumors coming out of Boone County: there WILL be a new mascot; there definitely will NOT be a new mascot; the new superintendent wants to know what's going on; there are meetings happening. We've tried hard to get anyone at the school district or the high school to talk with us, so we can find out what's real and what isn't, but nobody will. And so this episode Akilah asks: is there another way to find out what folks are saying? To view a selection of the open records we received from the school, along with bonus content for other episodes, visit our new website: https://rebelspiritpodcast.com If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  New Year Update 28.01.2025 32min

  Akilah sits down with her producers, Dan and Elizabeth, for a check in on where the journey has taken them since airing the initial episodes. Though there hasn't been much movement from Boone County High School, they have heard some updates from local supporters. Additionally, the team shares an overview of what they plan to share in future episodes. If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Expanded Interviews 17.12.2024 37min

  As Akilah and the Rebel Spirit team continue to pursue updates from BCHS on the mascot change, we wanted to share one more bonus episode before the end of the year. Within today's episode you get an expanded look at three of the many interviews we conducted when creating Rebel Spirit. We'll be back in the new year with a larger update on our progress in continuing to follow this story. Until then, wishing everyone very happy holidays! If you're in need of holiday gifts, consider checking out the Rebel Spirit Shop: https://rebelspiritshop.myshopify.com/ If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 10: Stay Free 12.11.2024 42min

  Akilah returns to Florence for one last push toward change as she speaks at the final Boone County High School SBDC meeting of the school year, which just so happens to be on Juneteenth.  If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you! And if you'd like to send words of encouragement to Boone County High School or the Boone County School Board about changing the BCHS mascot please feel free to use the below emails: stacey.black@boone.kyschools.us  karen.byrd@boone.kyschools.us Go Biscuits!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Looking Back 05.11.2024 33min

  As we finish up our next episode, and given that everyone’s minds are probably occupied with the Election today, the Rebel Spirit team wanted to take a moment to look back on the process of making this podcast over the last year. Akilah sat down with producers Dan Sinker and Elizabeth Baquet for a conversation about everything they experienced while pushing for change. Hope you enjoy it and we will be back next week with our tenth episode covering Akilah's journey.  If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 9: So Disappointing 29.10.2024 38min

  After so much research and work, it is clear that this uphill battle is not coming to a close soon as Akilah finally gets to speak in front of the school. How do you keep fighting for change when endless roadblocks keep getting in the way? How do you stay positive when progress seems to be moving backwards?  If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 8: Shaun 22.10.2024 37min

  The biggest advice Akilah has gotten for changing the Rebels mascot has been to get in touch with NFL MVP running back and Boone County High School alum, Shaun Alexander. Using the unfortunate power of Facebook, Akilah gets pretty darn close to that goal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Episode 7: Denver South 15.10.2024 33min

  In a set of riveting interviews with a determined high school principal and an NFL star, Calais Campbell, Akilah gets schooled on the successful process that changed the Denver South High School Rebels into the Ravens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.