Its Not Black or White

Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Society & Culture
  • Weekly

Welcome to It’s Not Black or White—a podcast where real stories meet honest conversations. Each episode explores the people, ideas, and experiences that prove life is rarely lived in absolutes. Hosted by Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley, we sit down with actors, dancers, musicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, business leaders, technology innovators, medical experts, survivors, community voices, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. From health and leadership to culture, current events, and resilience, we invite you to listen, learn, and see the world differently.

  1. 2d ago

    Tim Stevenson Part 1

    This week we flip the script. Diane Blakely puts her co-host Tim Stevenson in the hot seat, and it turns out the guy behind the edits has a story most people never knew. In Part 1, Tim goes from varsity football and Olympic Development soccer to forming the dance crew Suave at Pacifica High, selling out the school dance show with the whole football team screaming in the crowd, and springing a secret move called "the octopus" on his own crew mid-performance (they still haven't let it go). Then a college elective, a window into a room full of jazz dancers, and the words "We need boys in this class" change everything. Plus: hip-hop vs. jazz, Tim's pirouette hot takes (sorry, Taylor Swift), why football should really be called "handball," and the day Johnny Knoxville looked at the director on the set of Jackass 3D and said, "He gets me." Real stories, real laughs, and the reminder that nobody's path is ever just black or white. 🎧 Listen to It's Not Black or White on Spotify, iHeart, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.👍 Like, subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss Part 2, where Tim gets into J.Lo, Destiny's Child, Usher and the Michael Jackson call that almost happened. Hosted by Tim Stevenson & Diane Blakely #ItsNotBlackOrWhite #Podcast #TimStevenson #DianeBlakely #Dancer #Choreographer #HipHop #JazzDance #Jackass3D #JohnnyKnoxville #OrangeCounty #Hollywood

    Tim Stevenson Part 1

  2. 6d ago

    Julie Roland Part 2: Civility, Democracy & a Navy Commander’s Take on War |

    Navy veteran and TEDx speaker Julie Roland is back. In Part 2, Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley go deeper on the issues that keep all of us up at night: bot campaigns and election threats, how to argue with people you disagree with, and how we treat the people who serve. Julie shares the military lesson that changed how she debates: the way to win an argument isn’t to beat the other person. She talks about the USS Lincoln sailors coming home, and why, in her mission commander training, closing the Strait of Hormuz was always the first move everyone expected. She also explains why real patriotism means fixing the leaky roof, not pretending it isn’t there

    Julie Roland Part 2: Civility, Democracy & a Navy Commander’s Take on War |

  3. Oct 21

    Julie Roland pt 1

    In this episode, hosts Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley talk with Julie about why creativity matters, even in an institution built on uniformity. She describes the backyard art show she started while on active duty and how it grew into a nonprofit. She also talks about honoring her late mother’s poetry in New York and helping pass what was then the strongest AI safety law in the country. Diane opens up about beating cancer and finding joy again through hip-hop dance in Tim’s class. The conversation ends on a big question: how do we get back to civility? 💬 Who in your life has that rare mix of service and creativity? Tell us in the comments. 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, like it, subscribe and share it with someone who needs a little inspiration. 🎙️ It’s Not Black or White is a podcast about world events and inspiring stories that can help other people. Follow, subscribe, all the things! #NavyPilot #Veteran #WomenInAviation #TEDx #PublicArt #Creativity #AISafety #CivicEngagement #Democracy #ItsNotBlackOrWhite #Podcast #JulieRoland

    Julie Roland pt 1

  4. Oct 8

    Bonner Paddock Pt 2 - Boundaries & Energy Vampires

    In Part 2, Bonner Paddock tells Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley how he built Project Possible, a foundation with six centers in five countries where every dollar raised goes to the kids it serves. He talks about the anger he carried toward his parents, the forgiveness he found with his dad, and why he now loves some people from a distance.Then the conversation turns to energy vampires: who they are, why they hate boundaries, and why setting them was "the hardest yet smartest thing I've ever done." Bonner closes with his return to soccer at 48 and winning the Copa América with the U.S. para-national team

    Bonner Paddock Pt 2 - Boundaries & Energy Vampires

  5. Oct 7

    Bonner Paddock Pt 1 _Met Death on Kilimanjaro

    Bonner Paddock was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Seven doctors gave six different diagnoses before he was correctly diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 11. He went on to climb Kilimanjaro, finish the Ironman, and write the bestselling book One More Step.In Part 1, Bonner sits down with Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley to talk about the day he sat down at 17,000 feet, out of water in 50-below cold, and made peace with dying. He also opens up about the year of depression that followed the summit, and the four-year-old boy named Jakey who changed his life #ItsNotBlackOrWhite #BonnerPaddock #CerebralPalsy #Kilimanjaro #Ironman #Podcast

    Bonner Paddock Pt 1 _Met Death on Kilimanjaro

  6. Sep 24

    Sarah Wilson Pt 1

    🎙️ In this episode of It’s Not Black or White, we sit down with Sarah Wilson, host of theEverything’s Messy Podcast, for an honest conversation about her health journey. Sarah opens up about diabetes, experiencing a heart attack, recovery, resilience, and the life lessons she’s learned along the way. Her story is a powerful reminder to listen to your body, take your health seriously, and keep moving forward through life’s unexpected challenges.👉 Watch the full conversation, subscribe, and join us for more real stories and honest conversations on It’s Not Black or White

    Sarah Wilson Pt 1

  7. Sep 17

    Ana Allen Pt 1. - Midlife, social media, identity

    In Part 1 of It’s Not Black or White, we sit down with Ana Allen for an open and honest conversation about midlife, social media, identity, change, and what it means to keep evolving. Ana shares her perspective on navigating this stage of life, the pressure and influence of social media, and the lessons that come with experience, growth, and learning to trust yourself. It’s a thoughtful, relatable conversation about where we are, where we’ve been, and how we continue moving forward. 🎙️ Listen now to Ana Allen – Pt. 1: Mid Life, Social Media and More.

    Ana Allen Pt 1. - Midlife, social media, identity

  8. Sep 14

    Cole Blakely pt 2-

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Cole Blakeley on It’s Not Black or White, we go deeper into the creative journey behind the music.Cole opens up about his process as a songwriter and artist, the ups and downs of building something from the ground up, and the progress he’s made along the way. He also shares where he finds inspiration, how he works through challenges, and what keeps him moving forward as a young creative.At just 17, Cole is already the founder, songwriter, and guitarist of the band Dove Cottage. He taught himself guitar, formed his own band, writes original music, and released the album Peeking Through while still in high school.His creativity reaches far beyond music, spanning theater, film, visual art, and digital media. From award-winning digital artwork to film production and performing on stage, Cole continues to explore different ways to tell stories and express himself.Part 2 is about growth, resilience, creativity, and trusting the process.#ItsNotBlackOrWhite #ColeBlakeley #DoveCottage #PeekingThrough #YoungArtist #Songwriter #CreativeProcess #MusicJourney #ArtistJourney #Inspiration #EmergingArtist #PodcastInterview

See All (45)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to It’s Not Black or White—a podcast where real stories meet honest conversations. Each episode explores the people, ideas, and experiences that prove life is rarely lived in absolutes. Hosted by Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley, we sit down with actors, dancers, musicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, business leaders, technology innovators, medical experts, survivors, community voices, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. From health and leadership to culture, current events, and resilience, we invite you to listen, learn, and see the world differently.

Information

  • Creator
    Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley
  • Show Website
    Its Not Black or White