Finding the Funny & Redefining Black Masculinity

About this episode

In this episode, Monique Russell interviews Kiara “Kiki” Walker about humor, Black masculinity, and authentic conversations in podcasting.

In this episode of The Bridge to U Podcast, I sit down with the amazing Kiara “Kiki” Walker — a powerhouse producer, storyteller, and podcast host. Kiara is the co-host of the wildly popular CockTales: Dirty Discussions, a sex-positive comedy show turned national tour, and the host and producer of XO Man, a groundbreaking podcast exploring Black masculinity through the voices of celebrity Black men. We talk about how humor became her healing tool, what it takes to create authentic conversations in podcasting, and how she uses curiosity to go beyond assumptions and make her guests feel truly seen. From her stories about CockTales to the behind-the-scenes of XO Man, Kiara shows us what it looks like to hold space for vulnerability, laughter, and cultural truth. You’ll walk away with insights on: How finding the funny helps us heal and grow. Why too many voices can lead to “manufactured authenticity.” The gap XO Man is filling for Black men and their stories. What performance vs. message means when interviewing high-profile guests. The reality of building, scaling, and touring a podcast from scratch. About My Guest: Kiara “Kiki” Walker Host & Producer of XO Man Co-host of CockTales…

People in this episode

Host: Monique Russell

Guest: Kiara “Kiki” Walker

Topics covered

• Black masculinity
• humor
• podcasting
• vulnerability
• cultural truth

Keywords

• Black masculinity
• humor
• podcasting
• vulnerability
• authenticity
• Kiara Walker
• CockTales
• XO Man

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CockTales: Dirty Discussions, XO Man, Howard University

Products: Klassy-Baste

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