What's Ray Saying?

Ray Christian

A combat veteran and scholar’s personal narratives forge connections between history, Blackness, and life in the South.

  • 17 minutes 38 seconds
    Tropes: Saying What You Mean

    In this episode, Ray takes another look at tropes, specifically euphemism, stories that follow the path of misunderstanding by substituting words and phrases to deflect or minimize the impact of negativity. He's joined again by Kory Thomas May, and Tiffany Christian. For more on Ray, visit drraychristian.com and support the show!

    1 October 2025, 10:00 am
  • 52 minutes 4 seconds
    Bonus: Death, Sex and Money - What Military Service During “Peacetime” is Really Like

    We want to share with you this special episode of Death, Sex & Money, a Slate podcast. Ray joins host Anna Sale to share why he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1978, what it was like serving in the years between major conflicts, and the challenges he faced leaving military life behind. He reflects on the trauma he carried, his time as a paratrooper and drill sergeant, and how he eventually found his way into academia and storytelling. The conversation continues what Anna does best: exploring the hard questions and hidden struggles that shape our lives. You can find Death, Sex and Money wherever you get your podcasts.

    20 August 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 34 seconds
    Tropes - That Sounds Familiar

    In this mini-episode of What's Ray Saying?, Ray is joined by Kory Thomas May and Tiffany Christian. He ponders the characteristics of familiar narratives and storylines and the limits of understanding and expectations that are inherent in predictable, predetermined outcomes. As a public service, Ray presents his own prime example of the ultimate trope.
    For more on Ray, visit drraychristian.com and support the show!

    6 August 2025, 8:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Bonus: Our Ancestors Were Messy - Oscar Micheaux and the Family Feud That Launched Black Hollywood

    Let us introduce you to Our Ancestors Were Messy, a podcast covering the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines in the Black newspapers of segregated communities during the pre-Civil Rights era. On each episode, host Nichole Hill and her guests follow the story of an ancestor who went searching for opportunity, adventure, liberation, and love and made a mess - and eventually history - along the way.

    On this episode, Ray joins Nichole for "Oscar Micheaux and the Family Feud That Launched Black Hollywood".

    At the turn of the century, Oscar Micheaux - a dreamer from Smallville - makes his way to the big city searching for fame, fortune...and a change to his single status! What he finds is a wife he loves, a father-in-law he hates, and a path into Black history he could have never imagined.



    14 May 2025, 10:30 am
  • 22 minutes 5 seconds
    Juniper Ray Christian - Dickens: Crown of Blooms

    In this episode, Ray lets Tiffany take over the microphone as host and Interviewer of their daughter, author and award-winning storyteller Juniper Ray Christian - Dickens. They talk about their journey as a writer, their new book, their Webby Award, and their perspective on personal identity.

    Crown of Blooms by R C Dickens, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

    26 March 2025, 10:30 am
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    Bonus - Best of RISK! 15

    Let us introduce you again to another show we think you'll enjoy. RISK! is a live show and weekly podcast where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public, created and hosted by Kevin Allison (MTV, Comedy Central, HBO, Netflix). In this best-of episode,  you'll hear stories, including one from Ray, that examine ideas of exposure, vulnerability, reunion and death. To find out more about the show, visit risk-show.com.

    *Listener discretion is advised.

    19 February 2025, 11:30 am
  • 10 minutes 44 seconds
    Talking with Dogs on the Street

    In this mini episode of What’s Ray Saying, Ray whimsically explores his encounters with the “dog on the street” and the diversity of canine culture. Through dialogue that breaks down stereotypes and builds understanding, he reimagines his conversations and the epiphany of understanding difference. Special thanks to Mark Pagan, the voice of the sophisticated, street-smart-but-smooth-on-the-outside perro in Mexico, and Tiffany Christian, the voice of the former-celebrity-down-on-her-luck French poodle with chipped red fingernail polish on the streets of LA. For more on Ray, visit drraychristian.com and support the show!

    22 January 2025, 8:30 pm
  • 31 minutes 1 second
    Bonus: Ray on "Know What You See"

    If you’ve been enjoying "What's Ray Saying?", here's another podcast we think you’ll like.

    On “Know What You See”, host Brian Lowery delves into the ways our fundamental need to connect with others profoundly shapes our experience of life. Brian is a professor of social psychology at Stanford University, and on his podcast, he explores the surprising, perplexing and sometimes transcendent lives we create together. 

    On this episode, Ray and Brian talk about how the stories we share, and the ones we leave out, shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. For more on "Know What You See", visit knowwhatyousee.com 

    Hope you enjoy!

    8 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 57 seconds
    Bonus: Ray on "Little Devils"

    We want to share with you a new podcast I was proud to do an episode for. It's called "Little Devils", hosted by Jasmin Bauomy. "Little Devils" explores how often we are quick to judge others and ourselves for mistakes, failures and imperfections, and what happens if you move toward these things, examine how they came to be, and unearth the stories beneath them. 

    On this episode, I tell the story of a “revenge prank” gone wrong.


    "Little Devils" is a TRZ Media Original and an independent production. This is the pilot season. You can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/littledevils. Follow them on Instagram and BlueSky @littledevilsshow / @jasminbauomy / @trz_media.

    18 December 2024, 11:30 am
  • 3 minutes 27 seconds
    What's Up with Ray?

    A message from Ray.

    4 December 2024, 11:30 am
  • 11 minutes 52 seconds
    Voluntary and Chance Encounters: Black Fraternal and Sororal organizations

    In this mini episode of What’s Ray Saying?, Ray talks about the significance of intentional black social connections and a chance encounter with a group of Black folks in an unexpected place. Featuring a conversation with Lynn Patterson.


    25 September 2024, 5:30 pm
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