e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1 e6332207-0c1b-4f4b-9893-ae3e015a2399 21fad3fc-d494-424f-9dec-b1920128ba62 a6578695-21bf-40cc-a75a-b192012bc541 en-US Rebel Spirit https://www.iheart.com/podcast/186856705 In Season Two of Rebel Spirit, Akilah Hughes picks up where her battle to change her high school’s Confederate mascot left off and quickly realizes the problem was never just a mascot. Shifting from her high school still clinging to the “Rebels” name to the long fight over a Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State Capitol, Season Two expands into a sharp, funny, and deeply reported investigation into how America decides what, and who, it chooses to honor. Along the way, Akilah speaks with politicians from both sides of the aisle about their support for change, historians who help contextualize the fight to remove Confederate monuments, and artists who are part of building monuments their whole community can be proud of. All in an effort to answer this season's big question, if we’re willing to tear down racist monuments, why is it so hard to replace them with something better? 

]]> serial In Season Two of Rebel Spirit, Akilah Hughes picks up where her battle to change her high school’s Confederate mascot left off and quickly realizes the problem was never just a mascot. Shifting from her high school still clinging to the “Rebels” name to the long fight over a Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State Capitol, Season Two expands into a sharp, funny, and deeply reported investigation into how America decides what, and who, it chooses to honor. Along the way, Akilah speaks with politicians from both sides of the aisle about their support for change, historians who help contextualize the fight to remove Confederate monuments, and artists who are part of building monuments their whole community can be proud of. All in an effort to answer this season's big question, if we’re willing to tear down racist monuments, why is it so hard to replace them with something better?  iHeartPodcasts applepodcast@howstuffworks.com iHeartPodcasts 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia no https://www.omnycontent.com/d/programs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/21fad3fc-d494-424f-9dec-b1920128ba62/image.jpg?t=1771611042&size=Large Rebel Spirit https://www.iheart.com/podcast/186856705 Episode 10: The Flags We Plant Episode 10: The Flags We Plant In our final episode of Season 2, Akilah reflects on the journey of replacing the Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State House and everything she has learned along the way through incredible conversations with our guests. Sometimes the journey has been slow and frustrating, but it has been exceedingly worth the effort. Even if progress takes time, plant the flag. You don't have to be the one who sees it fly. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer. 

Produced and written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. 

Special thanks to all our guests this season.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. 

And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> In our final episode of Season 2, Akilah reflects on the journey of replacing the Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State House and everything she has learned along the way through incredible conversations with our guests. Sometimes the journey has been slow and frustrating, but it has been exceedingly worth the effort. Even if progress takes time, plant the flag. You don't have to be the one who sees it fly. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer. 

Produced and written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. 

Special thanks to all our guests this season.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. 

And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 10 iHeartPodcasts e1e72158-c4f4-474f-ad80-b4c2013469b9 e1e72158-c4f4-474f-ad80-b4c2013469b9 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 18:50:00 +0000 1704 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-10-the-flags-we-plant-1 Episode 9: You Can't Hide History Episode 9: You Can't Hide History Still slightly reeling from last week's revelations, Akilah takes a step back to look more broadly at the role monuments play in telling our country's full history. Through a conversation with Hamza Walker, director of The Brick and co-curator of 'Monuments' - an exhibit in Los Angeles that displays decommissioned monuments, many of them Confederate, alongside modern works of art - Akilah learns more about the ways we view monuments and how that can shape their value in telling the truth about history.  

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer. 

Produced and written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guest this episode, Hamza Walker. 

Reporting from The President's House in Philadelphia by Helen Ubinas.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. 

And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Still slightly reeling from last week's revelations, Akilah takes a step back to look more broadly at the role monuments play in telling our country's full history. Through a conversation with Hamza Walker, director of The Brick and co-curator of 'Monuments' - an exhibit in Los Angeles that displays decommissioned monuments, many of them Confederate, alongside modern works of art - Akilah learns more about the ways we view monuments and how that can shape their value in telling the truth about history.  

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer. 

Produced and written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guest this episode, Hamza Walker. 

Reporting from The President's House in Philadelphia by Helen Ubinas.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. 

And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 9 iHeartPodcasts e6988044-30c9-410a-81e9-b4c20133cf93 e6988044-30c9-410a-81e9-b4c20133cf93 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:50:00 +0000 1799 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-9-you-cant-hide-history-1 Episode 8: Son Of A Mitch Episode 8: Son Of A Mitch After a shocking new development in her efforts to replace the Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State Capitol, Akilah learns you sometimes have to be careful what you wish for. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer. 

Produced and written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Jamelle Bouie and Joe Sonka. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. 

And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> After a shocking new development in her efforts to replace the Jefferson Davis statue in the Kentucky State Capitol, Akilah learns you sometimes have to be careful what you wish for. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by me, Akilah Hughes. I’m also the host and Executive Producer. 

Produced and written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Jamelle Bouie and Joe Sonka. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. 

And be sure to check out our website, where you can also buy merch, rebelspiritpodcast.com

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 8 iHeartPodcasts 9559d9bf-8c98-4c7c-b779-b4c20132ef35 9559d9bf-8c98-4c7c-b779-b4c20132ef35 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:50:00 +0000 2215 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-8-son-of-a-mitch-1 Episode 7: The Daughters Episode 7: The Daughters Throughout this season Akilah has spoken with many people - historians, politicians, journalists, artists, designers - and in every conversation one name keeps coming up. The Daughters of the Confederacy. So in today's episode, Akilah is taking a closer look. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guest this episode Rivka Maizlish and Karen Cox. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Throughout this season Akilah has spoken with many people - historians, politicians, journalists, artists, designers - and in every conversation one name keeps coming up. The Daughters of the Confederacy. So in today's episode, Akilah is taking a closer look. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guest this episode Rivka Maizlish and Karen Cox. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 7 iHeartPodcasts 10b457b4-6854-4e61-bd7c-b4c2013229d7 10b457b4-6854-4e61-bd7c-b4c2013229d7 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000 1640 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-7-the-daughters-1 Episode 6: Killing Dead Confederates Episode 6: Killing Dead Confederates Historian and retired Brigadier General Ty Seidule speaks with Akilah about his experience as vice chair of the Congressional Naming Commission which was tasked with redesignating Department of Defense assets that honor Confederates. And how he continues with his efforts to shout down the Confederacy despite a continuing backslide fueled by the current administration. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guest this episode Ty Seidule.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Historian and retired Brigadier General Ty Seidule speaks with Akilah about his experience as vice chair of the Congressional Naming Commission which was tasked with redesignating Department of Defense assets that honor Confederates. And how he continues with his efforts to shout down the Confederacy despite a continuing backslide fueled by the current administration. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guest this episode Ty Seidule.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 6 iHeartPodcasts 2c9c8764-19ba-4ede-89da-b4c201317002 2c9c8764-19ba-4ede-89da-b4c201317002 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:55:00 +0000 1665 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-6-killing-dead-confederates Episode 5: Oh, Shenandoah Episode 5: Oh, Shenandoah This week, Akilah takes a close look at Shenandoah County, Virginia, where one of the more public fights over Confederate iconography has been playing out over the past few years. In 2020, two schools in Shenandoah County named after Confederate generals were changed to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School. However, the racists fought to change the names back. Incredibly, the students took up the challenge. Akilah speaks with a local journalist and a lawyer representing the students in this legal battle to get a full scope of what it takes to defeat the Confederacy...again.

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Email read voice performance by Niccole Thurman.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Clyde McGrady, Nate Kline, Ty Seidule and Kaitlin Banner.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> This week, Akilah takes a close look at Shenandoah County, Virginia, where one of the more public fights over Confederate iconography has been playing out over the past few years. In 2020, two schools in Shenandoah County named after Confederate generals were changed to Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School. However, the racists fought to change the names back. Incredibly, the students took up the challenge. Akilah speaks with a local journalist and a lawyer representing the students in this legal battle to get a full scope of what it takes to defeat the Confederacy...again.

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Email read voice performance by Niccole Thurman.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Clyde McGrady, Nate Kline, Ty Seidule and Kaitlin Banner.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 5 iHeartPodcasts adf8e414-7d22-422c-a2e7-b4c201307eb5 adf8e414-7d22-422c-a2e7-b4c201307eb5 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:55:00 +0000 1858 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-5-oh-shenandoah-1 Episode 4: Erasing History Episode 4: Erasing History Akilah welcomes Clint Smith, a writer who extensively covers race in America and has been cataloguing the dismantling of Confederate monuments and memorials since 2017. He and Akilah discuss the work required to help this country become the version of itself that was promised. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Paul Farber and Clint Smith. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Akilah welcomes Clint Smith, a writer who extensively covers race in America and has been cataloguing the dismantling of Confederate monuments and memorials since 2017. He and Akilah discuss the work required to help this country become the version of itself that was promised. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Paul Farber and Clint Smith. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 4 iHeartPodcasts 71447628-ab7c-4cf1-b0ac-b4c2012f0d5d 71447628-ab7c-4cf1-b0ac-b4c2012f0d5d Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:55:00 +0000 2298 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-4-erasing-history-1 Episode 3: Making Monuments Episode 3: Making Monuments After deciding on a replacement monument she wants to advocate for, Akilah dives deep into what it takes to actually get a new monument in place. Through conversations with monument makers and preservationists, she starts to build her plan.  

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. 

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Paul Farber and Nekisha Durett. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> After deciding on a replacement monument she wants to advocate for, Akilah dives deep into what it takes to actually get a new monument in place. Through conversations with monument makers and preservationists, she starts to build her plan.  

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett. 

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Paul Farber and Nekisha Durett. 

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 3 iHeartPodcasts f7c82577-1c2c-4d09-9829-b4c2012e04e0 f7c82577-1c2c-4d09-9829-b4c2012e04e0 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:45:00 +0000 1741 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-3-making-monuments-1 Episode 2: The Rotunda Episode 2: The Rotunda Akilah narrows her aim at an empty corner of the Kentucky State House where a Jefferson Davis monument once stood. She tries to chase down Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear who advocated for the removal of the Jefferson Davis monument and comes up with what might be the perfect option to replace it. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky State Senator Chris McDaniel.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Akilah narrows her aim at an empty corner of the Kentucky State House where a Jefferson Davis monument once stood. She tries to chase down Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear who advocated for the removal of the Jefferson Davis monument and comes up with what might be the perfect option to replace it. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky State Senator Chris McDaniel.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 2 iHeartPodcasts 66e646ef-10e5-4f2b-8216-b4c2012cd3ae 66e646ef-10e5-4f2b-8216-b4c2012cd3ae Tue, 26 May 2026 18:40:00 +0000 2056 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-2-the-rotunda-1 Episode 1: Back To Work Episode 1: Back To Work In our Season Two premiere, Akilah catches up on the latest from her hometown of Florence, Kentucky as she begins to explore how the same Confederate legacy she challenged locally is resurging across America. Through conversations with a couple familiar voices from Season One, she lays out how mascots and monuments are directly tied to the present political moment, and why the fight over who gets remembered is far from over. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Hillary Delaney and Amber Hoffman.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> In our Season Two premiere, Akilah catches up on the latest from her hometown of Florence, Kentucky as she begins to explore how the same Confederate legacy she challenged locally is resurging across America. Through conversations with a couple familiar voices from Season One, she lays out how mascots and monuments are directly tied to the present political moment, and why the fight over who gets remembered is far from over. 

Rebel Spirit is a production of Ninth Planet Audio in association with iHeart Podcasts. 

Reporting and writing by Akilah Hughes, she is also the Host and Executive Producer.

Produced and Written by Dan Sinker. 

Edited and Mixed by Rudy Jansen.

Executive Producers for Ninth Planet Audio are Elizabeth Baquet and Jimmy Miller. 

Executive Producer for iHeart Podcasts is Cristina Everett.

Special thanks to our guests this episode, Hillary Delaney and Amber Hoffman.

If you want to get in touch, email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. And visit our website www.rebelspiritpodcast.com where you can check out our merch store. 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 2 1 iHeartPodcasts 792d17a2-6374-481b-a049-b4c20129996a 792d17a2-6374-481b-a049-b4c20129996a Tue, 19 May 2026 18:35:00 +0000 1978 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-1-back-to-work-1 Coming Soon... Rebel Spirit Season 2 Coming Soon... Rebel Spirit Season 2 This season, Akilah takes her fight to the Kentucky State House in an attempt to replace a recently removed Confederate statue with a monument everyone can be proud of. Grounded in her own lived experiences, Season Two explores how monuments aren’t just markers of history -- they’re battlegrounds for the values we’re still negotiating today. Tune in when the new season premieres May 19.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> This season, Akilah takes her fight to the Kentucky State House in an attempt to replace a recently removed Confederate statue with a monument everyone can be proud of. Grounded in her own lived experiences, Season Two explores how monuments aren’t just markers of history -- they’re battlegrounds for the values we’re still negotiating today. Tune in when the new season premieres May 19.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> trailer 2 iHeartPodcasts dd7d9d8b-e9b3-45c3-967c-b441010c7fa3 dd7d9d8b-e9b3-45c3-967c-b441010c7fa3 Tue, 12 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000 167 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/coming-soon-rebel-spirit-season-2 Episode 12: Erasures Episode 12: Erasures It's the last episode of the season, and Akilah is thinking about her home, Florence, Kentucky. Over the course of our reporting, we've been told how much the town and county are changing, how much more diverse they're getting. What does the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and diversity mean for Florence? What does it mean for all of us? One last open record request underscores what we're up against, even as the battle feels larger than ever.

To view a selection of the open records we received from the school, along with bonus content for other episodes, visit our new website: https://rebelspiritpodcast.com

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

Correction: We reference Linda McMahon as Education Secretary in this episode, as of publishing she is just the nomination.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> It's the last episode of the season, and Akilah is thinking about her home, Florence, Kentucky. Over the course of our reporting, we've been told how much the town and county are changing, how much more diverse they're getting. What does the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and diversity mean for Florence? What does it mean for all of us? One last open record request underscores what we're up against, even as the battle feels larger than ever.

To view a selection of the open records we received from the school, along with bonus content for other episodes, visit our new website: https://rebelspiritpodcast.com

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

Correction: We reference Linda McMahon as Education Secretary in this episode, as of publishing she is just the nomination.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 12 iHeartPodcasts 2eb16bd4-6182-45f2-9bad-b28f0056699e 2eb16bd4-6182-45f2-9bad-b28f0056699e Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000 1310 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-12-erasures Episode 11: Open Records Episode 11: Open Records Since our last episode, we've heard rumors coming out of Boone County: there WILL be a new mascot; there definitely will NOT be a new mascot; the new superintendent wants to know what's going on; there are meetings happening. We've tried hard to get anyone at the school district or the high school to talk with us, so we can find out what's real and what isn't, but nobody will. And so this episode Akilah asks: is there another way to find out what folks are saying?

To view a selection of the open records we received from the school, along with bonus content for other episodes, visit our new website: https://rebelspiritpodcast.com

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Since our last episode, we've heard rumors coming out of Boone County: there WILL be a new mascot; there definitely will NOT be a new mascot; the new superintendent wants to know what's going on; there are meetings happening. We've tried hard to get anyone at the school district or the high school to talk with us, so we can find out what's real and what isn't, but nobody will. And so this episode Akilah asks: is there another way to find out what folks are saying?

To view a selection of the open records we received from the school, along with bonus content for other episodes, visit our new website: https://rebelspiritpodcast.com

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 11 iHeartPodcasts 88482eb4-3d5b-4b11-b2b1-b280016d8c1a 88482eb4-3d5b-4b11-b2b1-b280016d8c1a Tue, 11 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000 1824 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-11-open-records New Year Update New Year Update Akilah sits down with her producers, Dan and Elizabeth, for a check in on where the journey has taken them since airing the initial episodes. Though there hasn't been much movement from Boone County High School, they have heard some updates from local supporters. Additionally, the team shares an overview of what they plan to share in future episodes.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Akilah sits down with her producers, Dan and Elizabeth, for a check in on where the journey has taken them since airing the initial episodes. Though there hasn't been much movement from Boone County High School, they have heard some updates from local supporters. Additionally, the team shares an overview of what they plan to share in future episodes.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> bonus 1 iHeartPodcasts 6db65c41-824c-4349-a1ec-b2710150f0f7 6db65c41-824c-4349-a1ec-b2710150f0f7 Tue, 28 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000 1954 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/new-year-update Expanded Interviews Expanded Interviews As Akilah and the Rebel Spirit team continue to pursue updates from BCHS on the mascot change, we wanted to share one more bonus episode before the end of the year. Within today's episode you get an expanded look at three of the many interviews we conducted when creating Rebel Spirit. We'll be back in the new year with a larger update on our progress in continuing to follow this story. Until then, wishing everyone very happy holidays!

If you're in need of holiday gifts, consider checking out the Rebel Spirit Shop: https://rebelspiritshop.myshopify.com/

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> As Akilah and the Rebel Spirit team continue to pursue updates from BCHS on the mascot change, we wanted to share one more bonus episode before the end of the year. Within today's episode you get an expanded look at three of the many interviews we conducted when creating Rebel Spirit. We'll be back in the new year with a larger update on our progress in continuing to follow this story. Until then, wishing everyone very happy holidays!

If you're in need of holiday gifts, consider checking out the Rebel Spirit Shop: https://rebelspiritshop.myshopify.com/

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> bonus 1 iHeartPodcasts 637d89a3-25d7-48c9-90b0-b2480143682c 637d89a3-25d7-48c9-90b0-b2480143682c Tue, 17 Dec 2024 08:05:00 +0000 2231 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/112-v3-121324 Episode 10: Stay Free Episode 10: Stay Free Akilah returns to Florence for one last push toward change as she speaks at the final Boone County High School SBDC meeting of the school year, which just so happens to be on Juneteenth. 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

And if you'd like to send words of encouragement to Boone County High School or the Boone County School Board about changing the BCHS mascot please feel free to use the below emails:

stacey.black@boone.kyschools.us 

karen.byrd@boone.kyschools.us

Go Biscuits!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Akilah returns to Florence for one last push toward change as she speaks at the final Boone County High School SBDC meeting of the school year, which just so happens to be on Juneteenth. 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

And if you'd like to send words of encouragement to Boone County High School or the Boone County School Board about changing the BCHS mascot please feel free to use the below emails:

stacey.black@boone.kyschools.us 

karen.byrd@boone.kyschools.us

Go Biscuits!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 10 iHeartPodcasts c9e004b5-4acf-48ca-bba3-b225000cfafd c9e004b5-4acf-48ca-bba3-b225000cfafd Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:02:00 +0000 2574 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/110-v5-110724 Looking Back Looking Back As we finish up our next episode, and given that everyone’s minds are probably occupied with the Election today, the Rebel Spirit team wanted to take a moment to look back on the process of making this podcast over the last year. Akilah sat down with producers Dan Sinker and Elizabeth Baquet for a conversation about everything they experienced while pushing for change. Hope you enjoy it and we will be back next week with our tenth episode covering Akilah's journey. 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> As we finish up our next episode, and given that everyone’s minds are probably occupied with the Election today, the Rebel Spirit team wanted to take a moment to look back on the process of making this podcast over the last year. Akilah sat down with producers Dan Sinker and Elizabeth Baquet for a conversation about everything they experienced while pushing for change. Hope you enjoy it and we will be back next week with our tenth episode covering Akilah's journey. 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> bonus 1 iHeartPodcasts 611a0926-7a67-474b-8e99-b21e00f7b256 611a0926-7a67-474b-8e99-b21e00f7b256 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 09:03:00 +0000 2037 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/rebel-spirit-talk-back-v5-110224 Episode 9: So Disappointing Episode 9: So Disappointing After so much research and work, it is clear that this uphill battle is not coming to a close soon as Akilah finally gets to speak in front of the school. How do you keep fighting for change when endless roadblocks keep getting in the way? How do you stay positive when progress seems to be moving backwards? 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> After so much research and work, it is clear that this uphill battle is not coming to a close soon as Akilah finally gets to speak in front of the school. How do you keep fighting for change when endless roadblocks keep getting in the way? How do you stay positive when progress seems to be moving backwards? 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com.

We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 9 iHeartPodcasts 0eaede58-37b3-426b-ae98-b2130142829a 0eaede58-37b3-426b-ae98-b2130142829a Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2305 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/109-v4-10232024 Episode 8: Shaun Episode 8: Shaun The biggest advice Akilah has gotten for changing the Rebels mascot has been to get in touch with NFL MVP running back and Boone County High School alum, Shaun Alexander. Using the unfortunate power of Facebook, Akilah gets pretty darn close to that goal.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> The biggest advice Akilah has gotten for changing the Rebels mascot has been to get in touch with NFL MVP running back and Boone County High School alum, Shaun Alexander. Using the unfortunate power of Facebook, Akilah gets pretty darn close to that goal.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 8 iHeartPodcasts f87e81d7-f37f-4db5-b384-b20c0173b605 f87e81d7-f37f-4db5-b384-b20c0173b605 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2223 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/108-v5-101624 Episode 7: Denver South Episode 7: Denver South In a set of riveting interviews with a determined high school principal and an NFL star, Calais Campbell, Akilah gets schooled on the successful process that changed the Denver South High School Rebels into the Ravens.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> In a set of riveting interviews with a determined high school principal and an NFL star, Calais Campbell, Akilah gets schooled on the successful process that changed the Denver South High School Rebels into the Ravens.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 7 iHeartPodcasts 50ee21d4-54a4-408e-9fdf-b1f601547c77 50ee21d4-54a4-408e-9fdf-b1f601547c77 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2025 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-7-denver-south Episode 6: Other Rebels Episode 6: Other Rebels By now we’ve learned that changing the Rebels mascot and team name is a difficult process. For guidance and inspiration, Akilah turns to other former Rebels who didn’t take no for an answer and pushed for their schools to make a change.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> By now we’ve learned that changing the Rebels mascot and team name is a difficult process. For guidance and inspiration, Akilah turns to other former Rebels who didn’t take no for an answer and pushed for their schools to make a change.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 6 iHeartPodcasts c965f740-7ee8-4bb2-bd81-b1f601539a14 c965f740-7ee8-4bb2-bd81-b1f601539a14 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2045 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-6-other-rebels Episode 5: Mascots Episode 5: Mascots If you’re going to create a new mascot, you’ve gotta talk to the experts. In this episode, Akilah speaks with the creators of Benny the Bull, the Chicago Bulls’ mascot, and Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, about how to successfully bring a new mascot to life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> If you’re going to create a new mascot, you’ve gotta talk to the experts. In this episode, Akilah speaks with the creators of Benny the Bull, the Chicago Bulls’ mascot, and Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, about how to successfully bring a new mascot to life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 5 iHeartPodcasts 125c9d11-c98f-48eb-b1ee-b1f601525d9d 125c9d11-c98f-48eb-b1ee-b1f601525d9d Tue, 01 Oct 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2199 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-5-mascots Episode 4: Y'All or Nothing Episode 4: Y'All or Nothing Taking a step back from Akilah’s campaign, we spend some time with a local minor league baseball franchise, The Florence Y’All’s, and hear all about how they were able to rebrand their team name from something blah to something more inclusive–which led to a positive impact in every area of their business.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Taking a step back from Akilah’s campaign, we spend some time with a local minor league baseball franchise, The Florence Y’All’s, and hear all about how they were able to rebrand their team name from something blah to something more inclusive–which led to a positive impact in every area of their business.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 4 iHeartPodcasts cfe3c2cb-49f6-4908-ba54-b1d1012f5a79 cfe3c2cb-49f6-4908-ba54-b1d1012f5a79 Tue, 24 Sep 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2104 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-4-yall-or-nothing Episode 3: Half Measures Episode 3: Half Measures In speaking to alumni from Boone County High School willing to share their experiences across multiple decades, a clearer image of all the half-measures taken to remove the confederate imagery and racist symbols from the school emerges–even as the name “Rebels” remains. 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> In speaking to alumni from Boone County High School willing to share their experiences across multiple decades, a clearer image of all the half-measures taken to remove the confederate imagery and racist symbols from the school emerges–even as the name “Rebels” remains. 

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 3 iHeartPodcasts 91fba34c-9033-4a80-8ea5-b1d101312701 91fba34c-9033-4a80-8ea5-b1d101312701 Tue, 17 Sep 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2140 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-3-half-measures Episode 2: History Lessons Episode 2: History Lessons After dubious claims from the school board about the origin of the Rebels team name, Akilah dives deep into the history of the high school, the influence of classic cinema, and the term Rebel historically in the south.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> After dubious claims from the school board about the origin of the Rebels team name, Akilah dives deep into the history of the high school, the influence of classic cinema, and the term Rebel historically in the south.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 2 iHeartPodcasts e30f0f67-105f-4f2a-8469-b1d1012dc1c1 e30f0f67-105f-4f2a-8469-b1d1012dc1c1 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2378 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-2-history-lessons Episode 1: A Homecoming Episode 1: A Homecoming Akilah heads back to her hometown of Florence, KY to attend her former high school’s homecoming celebration and kick off her campaign to get the Boone County Rebels mascot changed.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Akilah heads back to her hometown of Florence, KY to attend her former high school’s homecoming celebration and kick off her campaign to get the Boone County Rebels mascot changed.

If you have a racist mascot at your high school, or are an alumni of a high school with a racist mascot, and want to share your own experience, please email us at rebelspiritpodcast@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> full 1 1 iHeartPodcasts 31504ed0-7f01-4f89-8bb1-b1d1013b70da 31504ed0-7f01-4f89-8bb1-b1d1013b70da Tue, 03 Sep 2024 07:03:00 +0000 2356 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/episode-1-a-homecoming-1 Coming Soon... Rebel Spirit Coming Soon... Rebel Spirit Over the past year, Akilah Hughes (Crooked Media’s “What a Day”) has been on a journey back to her hometown of Florence, Kentucky to convince her high school that now is the time to change their mascot from a Confederate General into something everyone in the South loves: a Biscuit. Throughout the process she has had conversations with local advocates and allies who are supportive of making a change. She has also interviewed tons of incredible people like journalist Jemele Hill, NFL player Calais Campbell, and even Brian Allen, the creator of the Philadelphia Flyer's beloved mascot Gritty, plus many more. And now, Akilah is thrilled to share her journey when Rebel Spirit premieres Sept. 3rd, in just one week!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Over the past year, Akilah Hughes (Crooked Media’s “What a Day”) has been on a journey back to her hometown of Florence, Kentucky to convince her high school that now is the time to change their mascot from a Confederate General into something everyone in the South loves: a Biscuit. Throughout the process she has had conversations with local advocates and allies who are supportive of making a change. She has also interviewed tons of incredible people like journalist Jemele Hill, NFL player Calais Campbell, and even Brian Allen, the creator of the Philadelphia Flyer's beloved mascot Gritty, plus many more. And now, Akilah is thrilled to share her journey when Rebel Spirit premieres Sept. 3rd, in just one week!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> trailer 1 iHeartPodcasts 73e63cf0-7b09-4052-811f-b1d3013f365b 73e63cf0-7b09-4052-811f-b1d3013f365b Tue, 27 Aug 2024 07:03:00 +0000 200 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/rebel-spirit-premieres-in-one-week Introducing: Rebel Spirit Introducing: Rebel Spirit Coming September 3rd, Rebel Spirit is a brand new podcast series from Akilah Hughes (Crooked Media’s “What a Day”) about her return to her small town of Florence, Kentucky with a mission to change her high school’s mascot from a Confederate General into a Biscuit. Through conversations with local students and parents, and interviews with experts on everything ranging from mascot design to the history of the Confederacy, Rebel Spirit endeavors to make the process of correcting historic wrongs less of a bummer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> Coming September 3rd, Rebel Spirit is a brand new podcast series from Akilah Hughes (Crooked Media’s “What a Day”) about her return to her small town of Florence, Kentucky with a mission to change her high school’s mascot from a Confederate General into a Biscuit. Through conversations with local students and parents, and interviews with experts on everything ranging from mascot design to the history of the Confederacy, Rebel Spirit endeavors to make the process of correcting historic wrongs less of a bummer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

]]> trailer 1 iHeartPodcasts 297470de-356c-4f6d-a81a-b192012cd155 297470de-356c-4f6d-a81a-b192012cd155 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 18:23:09 +0000 88 https://omny.fm/shows/rebel-spirit/introducing-rebel-spirit