Pushkin Industries today announced a collaboration with Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV host, comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell on a new weekly video podcast, Who’s With Me? with W. Kamau Bell. Launching Wednesday, May 27, the podcast will deliver humorous conversations filled with heart and intellect, inviting the audience to learn, drive change, and connect in these increasingly hectic times.
Inspired by his hit Substack of the same name, Who’s With Me? with W. Kamau Bell will beavailable on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms. Listeners can subscribe now for early access to the trailer. Among the wide-ranging guests joining Kamau on the podcast are acclaimed award-winning actors Delroy Lindo and Ted Danson, trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland, Daveed Diggs, Robert Reich, Eddie Huang, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Nava Mau, Mo Willems, Maria Bamford, Kristen Kish, Margaret Cho, and many more. Many of the guests will be from or affiliated with Kamau’s hometown, Oakland, California.
“Who’s With Me? is one of the most basic and necessary questions you can ask in these hectic times,” said Kamau. “When everywhere we look it feels like the powers-that-be want to push us apart, I wanted to create a space where curiosity and empathy lead the way and conversations actually move us forward.
“As an only child, I’ve always been someone who asks questions, listens, and tries to understand people,” he continued. “That curiosity has shaped my entire career. With this podcast, I also wanted the chance to give flowers to people I deeply admire who can offer real wisdom and actionable steps—homework, if you will—on how we can all do a little better and show up for each other a little more. Also, as a dad of three, if I don’t figure out how to turn my favorite conversations into work, they won’t happen. As a stand-up comedian, I know that, especially right now, one of us needs to try to clean up the cultural and political mess that so many of my stand-up comedy brethren have made.”
Bell is known for embracing uncomfortable conversations that acknowledge differences and shift perspectives. Throughout his career, he has spoken with everyone from KKK members to Oprah Winfrey to strangers on the streets, showing that a simple conversation can lead to surprising revelations. Kamau is also known to speak his mind and stand-up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
In every episode of Who’s With Me?, Kamau opens with a monologue addressing the current cultural and political landscape and often inspired by his latest newsletter. He’s then joined by a guest — from celebrities and comedians to activists and fellow Oaklanders — for a candid conversation about their career journeys and how to make the world a better place. Who’s With Me? is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions, a full-service production company based in Los Angeles.
“W. Kamau Bell is a rare talent who combines sharp wit with profound empathy. He has an incredible gift for the interview format, and we are beyond excited to collaborate with him,” said Corinne Gilliard Fisher, Pushkin’s VP of Podcasts. “His talent for finding the heart of every story is unparalleled, and we are thrilled to support him as he launches this next chapter in podcasting.”
W. Kamau Bell is known for embracing uncomfortable conversations that acknowledge differences, confront embarrassment, and change people’s perspectives. Throughout his career, Kamau has talked with everyone from KKK members to…
