The Color Between The Lines with Esther Dillard

Esther Dillard
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Color Between the Lines with Esther Dillard is a storytelling podcast that explores the histories, voices, and truths that often go unheard—but deeply shape our world.*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" tabindex="-1" dir="auto" data-turn-id="4e29b2f2-7c46-4232-803b-4c51b0aa0f0d" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Hosted by award-winning journalist and educator Esther Dillard, the show features thoughtful conversations with authors, activists, cultural leaders, and change-makers who use story to inform, challenge, and connect. Each episode goes beyond headlines to uncover the deeper context behind culture, history, and current events—helping listeners understand not just what happened, but why it matters. Listeners come away with a clearer understanding of how storytelling influences public opinion, policy, education, and identity. The podcast also offers insight into how stories can be used more intentionally—in advocacy, leadership, creative work, and everyday life—to communicate with clarity, build trust, and create impact. If you’re curious about history, culture, and the power of narrative to shape perspective and possibility, The Color Between the Lines invites you to listen more closely—and hear what’s always been there.

  1. Harriet Tubman’s Civil War Secret: The Military Story History Almost Erased

    6D AGO

    Harriet Tubman’s Civil War Secret: The Military Story History Almost Erased

    Most people know Harriet Tubman as the fearless conductor of the Underground Railroad. But far fewer know that she also served as a Civil War scout, spy, and military leader for the Union Army. In this episode of ERASED, award-winning journalist Esther Dillard explores Harriet Tubmans powerful and often overlooked role during the Civil War, including her leadership in the historic Combahee River Raid, a military operation that helped free more than 700 enslaved people. The episode also features insight from Harriet Tubmans great-great-great grandniece, who shares reflections on Tubmans legacy and why preserving the full story of her life still matters today. Through archival history, personal storytelling, and expert insight, this episode reveals how parts of Harriet Tubmans story have been overlookedand why reclaiming that history is so important. Topics covered in this episode: Harriet Tubmans Civil War military service The Combahee River Raid Black soldiers and freedom fighters in the Civil War The importance of preserving accurate Black history ERASED is a storytelling series that examines historical figures whose contributions have been overlooked, misunderstood, or erased from mainstream narratives. Host: Esther Dillard Series: The Color Between the Lines

    12 min
  2. Raising Strong Girls in 2026: Gloria Steinem & Leymah Gbowee on Courage, Racism & Sisterhood

    MAR 3

    Raising Strong Girls in 2026: Gloria Steinem & Leymah Gbowee on Courage, Racism & Sisterhood

    We are living in a moment of visible racism, rising authoritarianism, and uncertainty for many families. In this episode of The Color Between the Lines, Esther Dillard sits down with feminist leader Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee to discuss why they wrote the childrens book Rise, Girl, Rise: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together for All. But this conversation goes far beyond a book. They talk about: How to raise strong girls in politically uncertain times What courage really means for young girls How women can build togetherhood in divided spaces Why legacy is not built on trends How to speak honestly to children about racism and fear What this decade demands from women and parents Gloria Steinem has been one of the most recognized feminist organizers in modern American history and co-founder of the Womens Media Center. Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner who helped lead the womens movement that ended Liberias civil war. If you are raising, mentoring, or advocating for girls in this moment this conversation is for you. Subscribe to The Color Between the Lines for more conversations at the intersection of history, justice, leadership, and storytelling. CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Living in a Moment of Racism & Fear 00:16 Why Speak to Girls Now? 01:14 Why Write the Book Together? 02:13 In 2026 We Wanted to Show Something Different 03:12 A Human Book, Not Just a Childrens Book 03:35 Courage: No One Is Born Great 04:15 Legacy Is Never Built on Trends 04:52 Gloria Steinems Mother & Early Influence 05:42 Women Working Together Change History 06:19 First Impressions & Mutual Respect 07:41 Traveling to North Korea & Leadership 08:22 Raising Girls During Visible Racism 09:03 A Gentle Message in a Screaming World 09:39 Togetherhood Will Never Fail 10:16 Why You Will Always Need Someone to Hold Your Hand 10:32 Learning from Women in India 11:28 Final Thoughts & Book Information

    12 min
  3. How One Vote Ended Reconstruction: Jim Clyburn on the 1876 Election and Today’s Voting Rights Battle

    FEB 24

    How One Vote Ended Reconstruction: Jim Clyburn on the 1876 Election and Today’s Voting Rights Battle

    Did Reconstruction fall apart or was it ended by a single vote? In this episode of The Color Between the Lines, South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn explains how three razor-thin votes reshaped American history including the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the disputed 1876 election, and the decision that effectively ended Reconstruction. By an 87 commission vote, Reconstruction came to an end. What followed was nearly 100 years of Jim Crow. Congressman Clyburn draws powerful parallels between the collapse of the first Reconstruction and todays debates over voting rights, Supreme Court decisions, and democratic institutions. We also explore the extraordinary life of Robert Smalls the formerly enslaved man who stole a Confederate ship, delivered it to Union forces, helped establish free public education in South Carolina, and served in Congress. If youve ever wondered: What ended Reconstruction? What was the Compromise of 1876? How did one vote change American history? Could democracy shift again? This conversation connects the past to the present. Because as Congressman Clyburn says: The three most consequential things that happened to Black people in this country were each decided by a single vote. The Color Between the Lines is Hosted by Esther Dillard.

    17 min
  4. How to Build Wealth (Not Just Make Money) | Dr. Willie Jolley

    FEB 17

    How to Build Wealth (Not Just Make Money) | Dr. Willie Jolley

    Whats the real difference between being rich and being wealthy? In this episode of The Color Between the Lines, Dr. Willie Jolley breaks down the distinction between income and ownership and why that difference can determine whether your financial success lasts for one generation or many. We explore: Rich vs wealthy explained Why saving alone isnt enough How to build a simple wealth system The mindset shift required for generational wealth A powerful story of a retired firefighter who turned $12,000 into nearly $890,000 Why high income does not automatically equal wealth If youve been working hard but wondering how to move from earning money to building assets, this conversation offers clarity and practical insight. Because wealth isnt just about what you make. Its about what you build. Book: Rich Is Good, Wealthy Is Better by Dr. Willie Jolley Subscribe for more conversations that connect money, policy, history, and generational power. #RichVsWealthy #BuildWealth #GenerationalWealth #FinancialLiteracy #BlackWealth #MoneyMindset

    9 min
  5. Melba Moore: Broadway, the Tony Award, Faith, and the Journey Behind This Is It

    FEB 10

    Melba Moore: Broadway, the Tony Award, Faith, and the Journey Behind This Is It

    Tony Awardwinning performer and Broadway trailblazer Melba Moore joins The Color Between the Lines for an intimate, wide-ranging conversation about her life, career, and the personal journey behind her memoir, This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better.In this interview, Moore reflects on: Her defining Broadway role in Purlie and what it meant to win a Tony Award without formal theater training Growing up with strong grassroots values and how family shaped her resilience Navigating success, setbacks, and financial hardship in the entertainment industry The role of faith in surviving difficult seasons and rebuilding her life Why legacy, forgiveness, and healing matter more than accolades Moore also shares reflections on mentorship, Black artists creating their own paths, and what it means to look back on a career that helped open doors for generations to come. This conversation is a meditation on perseverance, purpose, and what it truly means to endure and evolve in the spotlight.

    26 min
  6. Why Didn’t We Learn About Robert Smalls in School? Reconstruction and Erased Black History

    FEB 3

    Why Didn’t We Learn About Robert Smalls in School? Reconstruction and Erased Black History

    Why didnt most Americans learn about Robert Smalls in school? Robert Smalls was formerly enslaved, stole a Confederate ship during the Civil War, freed his family and crew, and later became a United States Congressman during Reconstruction. And yet, his story is rarely taught in classrooms. In this explainer, journalist and storyteller Esther Dillard explores why Robert Smalls legacy was left out of history education, how Reconstruction was reframed as a failure, and how the erasure of Black political leadership still shapes how we understand citizenship, democracy, and power today. This episode connects to the animated documentary ERASED The Robert Smalls Story and invites listeners to reflect on what else we may have been taught to forget. Watch the full documentary on YouTube.  https://youtu.be/-MWiO_FA_I0?si=F-4gvT1pnaymCSa4 Read the full essay and historical context at EstherDillard.com https://estherdillard.com/why-dont-we-learn-about-robert-smalls-in-school/

    3 min
  7. Why Victims Don’t Leave Abusive Relationships | Nathaniel Fields on Domestic Violence, Pets & Immigration

    JAN 27

    Why Victims Don’t Leave Abusive Relationships | Nathaniel Fields on Domestic Violence, Pets & Immigration

    Its one of the most common and misunderstood questions people ask about domestic violence. In this episode, Im joined by Nathaniel Fields, CEO of the Urban Resource Institute, to break down what survivors are really weighing when they decide whether to stay or leave. We talk about the realities many people never consider including why survivors may stay to protect their pets, how immigration status can make leaving more dangerous than staying, and why shame and fear often keep people trapped in unsafe homes. Nathaniel also explains how survivor-centered systems work, why punishment alone doesnt stop violence, and how programs like PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) and intervention initiatives are designed to interrupt cycles of harm before they repeat. This conversation goes beyond awareness to explain what actually helps survivors reach safety and why domestic violence is a community issue, not a personal failure. If youve ever wondered why leaving isnt simple, or what real prevention looks like, this episode provides answers.

    18 min
  8. Fair Lending in the Age of AI: What’s Legal, What’s Risky, and Who Gets Hurt

    JAN 20

    Fair Lending in the Age of AI: What’s Legal, What’s Risky, and Who Gets Hurt

    Fair lending laws were designed to protect people not algorithms. So what happens when artificial intelligence starts deciding who qualifies for a loan, a mortgage, or financial opportunity? In this explainer episode, journalist Esther Dillard breaks down how AI is being used in lending, what federal fair lending laws actually require, and where technology is already raising serious civil rights concerns. This episode is connected to my in-depth conversation with Alphonso David, a nationally recognized civil rights leader and legal expert, who explains how automation and algorithms can quietly reinforce discrimination even without intent. Youll learn: How AI is being used in lending decisions today Why neutral algorithms can still produce biased outcomes What fair lending laws say and where the gaps are Why this issue matters now, not later This explainer sets the stage for the full interview, where we go deeper into accountability, enforcement, and what consumers and policymakers should be paying attention to.

    5 min
See All (50)

About

The Color Between the Lines with Esther Dillard is a storytelling podcast that explores the histories, voices, and truths that often go unheard—but deeply shape our world.*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" tabindex="-1" dir="auto" data-turn-id="4e29b2f2-7c46-4232-803b-4c51b0aa0f0d" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Hosted by award-winning journalist and educator Esther Dillard, the show features thoughtful conversations with authors, activists, cultural leaders, and change-makers who use story to inform, challenge, and connect. Each episode goes beyond headlines to uncover the deeper context behind culture, history, and current events—helping listeners understand not just what happened, but why it matters. Listeners come away with a clearer understanding of how storytelling influences public opinion, policy, education, and identity. The podcast also offers insight into how stories can be used more intentionally—in advocacy, leadership, creative work, and everyday life—to communicate with clarity, build trust, and create impact. If you’re curious about history, culture, and the power of narrative to shape perspective and possibility, The Color Between the Lines invites you to listen more closely—and hear what’s always been there.

Information