Tonya Mosley

Tonya Mosley is the host of Truth Be Told. Follow her on Twitter here.

Welcome back, Tonya! You announced the return of Truth Be Told with an episode called ‘Liberation.’ Why do you feel so free?
The longer title of that trailer episode is “Liberation, I Want It” - which is a nod to the Outkast song with the same name. There’s this line in the song that says, “I’m alive but am I living?” That really hit me in this moment.  

The next few seasons of Truth Be Told is an exploration of what liberation means for Black Americans. Some much of our existence in this country has been looked at under the lens of our oppression, especially more recently, and while that dissection is extremely important in the fight towards equality, it’s exhausting. My goal is to turn the next few seasons of the show into a portal of sorts, where Black folks are talking to each other about what liberation looks and feels like in their everyday lives. How are we finding our own paths towards liberation? That’s the journey I’m taking through this podcast.

How was the new season of Truth Be Told be different from what we’ve heard in the past?
The next few seasons will focus squarely on what liberation looks, tastes and feels like for Black Americans. The seasons are broken up into four categories; love, nourishment, education and wealth. Listeners are in for a sonic exploration; sometimes we’ll be in a studio, sometimes we’ll be in person, sometimes we’ll be traveling to places to see up close what this work looks like.

Fill in the blank: If you like ______, you will like Truth Be Told.
Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown.” Reminding people of Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown'' is purely aspirational, but it's a good example of what we aim to do for the listeners. I am a curious explorer, and I want the audience to feel like they’re on a journey and learning with me too. 

What do you hope Truth Be Told does for people?
My goal is for TBT listeners to feel smarter, and walk away with the language and tools they need to take these conversations to other spaces, to talk with loved ones and friends and colleagues. I’ve also heard from our listeners that they listen more than once to individual episodes. I want to create content that people want to refer to over and over.

Why are you the perfect host of this show?
I created this show because of my own curiosity about the ways people of color can build on the work of those before us who used media and language to shape the hearts and minds of people in ways that move society forward. This has been the core of my work since I was 15, and Truth Be Told is an evolution of that work.

What’s the secret to a great interview?
I am forever a student, so I don’t pretend to have mastered the perfect interview, but from my view it's about being present, curious and compassionately discerning and critical. It’s also about giving the person you’re interviewing space. Space to express ideas. I say that last part because sometimes as interviewers we can get in this mode of also trying to show how much we know. That knowledge should only be used to help your interview subject clearly express their ideas, or to push back on assertions from the person you’re interviewing. There’s a fine line between guiding a conversation, and looking like you know it all. 

What’s a recipe for a great Truth Be Told story?
At its core TBT is an advice show, so the main ingredient is a dilemma that uncovers hard truths that gives us language to begin solving a problem. It’s not prescriptive and in most instances, there isn’t a line towards a resolution, but rather a starting point to move towards an answer.

What’s your sign? And what does that mean for you as a podcast host?
I’m a Taurus (Virgo rising) and most of the attributes are me! I’m grounded, hard headed, loyal, I love luxury and nice things. I love to work hard and play hard. I’ll sleep when I’m dead. 

Thanks, Tonya!