Beyond The Threshold: Black Voices in Media
Beyond the Threshold is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by award winning sound editor & producer, Sidney Evans.
This show is dedicated to interviewing black professionals in the media space in variety of roles, highlighting the lessons and experiences it takes to achieve success in the field.
The goal is to build a platform that connects and supports those established in media, while also inspiring those looking to break into the industry.
Beyond The Threshold: Black Voices in Media
Ep.22: Inspiration, Dedication, and Culture w/ Toni Kennedy
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In this episode of 'Beyond the Threshold,' host Sidney Evans is joined by Tony Kennedy, creator of the award winning kids and family podcast, "What’s Poppin’ Penny, voted Common Sense Media’s Best Kids & Family podcast of 2023 and awarded the 2025 Communicator Award of Distinction for an Educational Series.
In this episode we discuss:
- Toni's upbringing in St. Petersburg, Florida, being inspired by Sesame Street, and building a career as a child educator despite lacking a formal degree.
- How her daughter encouraged her to apply to Spotify’s SoundUp Family and Kids podcast accelerator program, which lead to the creation of, "What's Poppin, Penny."
- Navigating pushback on cultural and thematic elements like Black identity and lineage, and the importance of cultural experiences in storytelling.
- The exhaustive process of producing the show, self-funding and adapting the series into a book.
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