A New Video Podcast Explores the Stories of Virginians and How they are Connected
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Virginia Humanities, the state’s humanities council, is proud to announce the premiere of "In Common," a brand-new video podcast dedicated to uncovering the complex and often overlooked stories that define the commonwealth.
In Common features a rotating slate of hosts in conversation with guests that explore Virginia's unique history and culture. Through intimate, engaging interviews with historians, artists, and community leaders, the series highlights the shared experiences—and the unique differences—that connect Virginians from the Eastern Shore to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Bridging the Past and the Present
Through story, language, memory, and imagination, In Common connects people across difference and across time. Each episode is filmed on location in museums, organizations, homes, and small businesses in communities all across the state, offering a unique look into the lives of Virginians where they live and work.
"Virginia’s story isn't just a collection of dates and facts; it’s a living, breathing narrative held by its people."
Allison Quantz
"Virginia’s story isn't just a collection of dates and facts; it’s a living, breathing narrative held by its people," says Allison Quantz, producer of the new podcast. "With In Common, we’re using digital storytelling in creative and playful ways that embrace curiosity to make the humanities visible, audible, and alive in the everyday life of our communities."
First Episode Highlight
Why HBCUs Matter: The Past, Present, and Future of Black Education
Featuring: Cheryl Mango, Associate Professor of History at Virginia State University and Lisa Winn Bryan, Assistant Professor of African American Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University
What to Expect
The inaugural season will feature a wide array of topics, including:
- Preserving American Architecture—From historic plantation homes to Frank Lloyd Wright’s modern designs
- Everyday Craft Traditions—How they shape community, creativity, and intergenerational connection
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities—The history and evolving role of HBCUs, and their complex relationship with American presidents and Black education in the United States
- Traditional Tattoos—A form of personal and public storytelling, exploring identity, memory, and the body as a canvas for art
- Oyster Farming and Aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay—From cultivation and ecology to the cultural meaning of a once-luxury food
- Indigenous Storytelling and Filmmaking—Exploring family, history, and representation on screen on the Pamunkey Reservation
- American Bookstores—The history and cultural power of American bookstores, from local shops to literary and political gathering spaces
- How Science Shapes Our Lives—From clothing and food to fragrance and medicine, science is woven into our lives and connected to the humanities
- Appalachian Art and Identity—From contemporary painting to ceramics, and how artists interpret the region’s cultural legacy
- Living with Artificial Intelligence—AI’s impact on daily life, explored through fiction, technology, and the future of storytelling
How to Watch
The first episode of In Common is available now. Subscribe to see new episodes:
- Watch: Watch on Virginia Humanities' YouTube channel.
About Virginia Humanities
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We share the stories of all Virginians—or, more accurately, we help Virginians share their own stories. We believe that a greater understanding of our shared humanities can help us build a more thoughtful and resilient Commonwealth. To learn more, visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
