Hi, I'm Janet Mock, and this is Never Before.

In these chaotic-ass times, you need to gather around a table with your closest friends,

discuss your faves, and problematic faves, read someone to filth, and laugh.

My guest today made that her entire career.

Crystal West is one half of my favorite podcast, The Read, which launched in 2013. The hit show's

premise is simple. Cristle and her friend Kid Fury, who she met on Twitter, go into a studio and talk.

They talk about their favorite things like Beyonce. They applaud black excellence,

like Serena Williams slaying the world. They take listeners' questions about everything from

homophobic family members to messing with fuckboys. They choose a person or topic that deserves

to be cursed the fuck out. And it's every damn thing. Chrysle says she didn't know the show would be a hit,

because she didn't think Black people listen to a podcast.

Well, turns out they do.

After over 200 episodes and sold out live shows all over the world,

the Reid showed us, if you build it, and it's lit, they will come.

Cristle grew up in Oklahoma and makes it clear that this country girl didn't have dreams

of pursuing entertainment. However, fans have embraced her searing intersectional outlook,

unapologetic truth-telling, and black girl brilliance.

Oh, and she has the best goddamn laugh in recorded history. No lie.

Being in front of a mic and making sure she has heard

is just her destiny. Child. So today, Crystal and I discuss her roots as a smarty-pants outspoken

queer black girl, how she slayed the podcast scene, and her most formative pop culture moments.

And duh, we discuss Beyonce.

...