Tharon's Take
Tharon’s Take is where politics, arts and culture meets real life. Hosted by political strategist and commentator Tharon Johnson (Biden 2020, Obama 2012, Founder of Paramount Consulting), this weekly podcast brings candid conversations with political leaders, well-known entrepreneurs, culture shapers, and everyday working people.
Instead of talking at the audience, Tharon talks with them. Each episode breaks down what’s happening in the political landscape in a way that’s clear, nuanced, and enjoyable to listen to. Expect thoughtful questions, a little controversy, humor, and real storytelling — not soundbites.
Whether you’ve followed Tharon’s work for years or you’re just trying to make sense of the world around you, this show gives you the insight you need to understand power, policy, and the people who shape both.
New episodes drop weekly.
Episodes
25 episodes
Christian Ries, Building a Community Through Wine!
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon Johnson sits down with Christian Ries, founder and CEO of The Perlant, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, wine culture, and building intentional community in Atlanta.Born in South...
Champ Bailey Talks Journey from South Georgia to the NFL and Beyond!
From Folkston, Georgia… to Canton, Ohio. 🏈Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey sits down with Tharon Johnson for a real conversation about legacy, leadership, football, and life after the NFL.Champ opens up about choosing the...
404 Day: Who Owns Atlanta’s Culture? | The Founders Speak 👀🔥
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon speaks with the leaders behind 404 Day, a grassroots movement that has become a defining cultural moment in Atlanta.The conversation explores how 404 Day started, what it represents for t...
How Centennial Yards Will Change Downtown Atlanta Forever with Brian McGowan
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon speaks with Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards, about the future of downtown Atlanta.The conversation centers around Centennial Yards and its role in transforming underutilized ...
The Business of Black Art with Onaje Henderson
Onaje Henderson, managing partner at ZuCot Gallery, discusses Atlanta's evolving art scene, the economics of art collecting, and the importance of supporting Black-owned galleries. Henderson highlights the need for more black collectors and the...
Atlanta Tourism and World Cup with William Pate
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon speaks with William Pate, President of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, about Atlanta’s growing reputation as a global destination for major events, tourism, and business.Pat...
Atlanta Hawks Host Magic City Monday, Tharon and Nick Love React
The Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City Monday collaboration sparked conversation across the city and around the country.In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon Johnson sits down with Nick Love, Atlanta marketing strategist and the voice behind ...
World Cup Atlanta Everything You Need to Know w/ Dan Corso
In this episode, Tharon speaks with Dan Corso, President of the Atlanta Sports Council, about Atlanta’s emergence as a premier global sports city.Dan discusses what it takes to secure and execute major events like the FIFA World Cup, Sup...
From Dungeon Family to Healing: Shanti Das’ Journey Through Music & Mental Health
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with Shanti Das — legendary music executive, author, and founder of Silence the Shame.From her time at LaFace Records to working with the Dungeon Family, OutKast, Usher, and Pri...
Atlanta Hawks Beyond the Court | An Interview with Andrew Saltzman
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Andrew Saltzman of the Atlanta Hawks joins the show to discuss how the organization has made an impact beyond basketball.From launching the College Park Skyhawks and investing in downtown Atlanta to ope...
Trump Still Can’t Let Go of Georgia’s 2020 Election — FBI Raid Explained
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon takes a hard look at why Donald Trump continues to challenge his loss in Georgia’s 2020 election and how the recent FBI raid has once again put the state at the center of national attention....
Children and Families are HUNGRY!! — A Conversation with Feeding Georgia
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with Julie Bryant Kuykendall, Director of Feeding Georgia, for an honest conversation about hunger and food insecurity across the state.Julie shares what it looks like when one in five ...
Why Lemon Pepper Wings Could Become Georgia’s Official Flavor — Rep. Eric Bell on HB1013
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with State Representative Eric Bell to talk about more than just lemon pepper wings — they explore how culture, memory, and policy intersect in Georgia.Rep. Bell explains...
Understanding Georgia’s Energy System with PSC Commissioner Peter Hubbard
This conversation with Peter Hubbard was recorded on January 7, prior to Georgia Power’s announcement at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues event regarding its plan to lower rates and expand data center investment in the state.
New Year Check-In: Resolutions, Goals, and Reality
New year, new me — or maybe just a new mindset. In this episode of Tharon’s Take, we have a real conversation about New Year’s resolutions, goal setting, and how people actually follow through (or don’t) over time.Whether you’re...
Trading Trae Young: Reset or Mistake?
The Trae Young era in Atlanta appears to be over — and the reaction has been loud. In this mini episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon unpacks why the Hawks moved on from their franchise star, what Trae meant to the city, and what this decisio...
What’s Really Wrong With the Atlanta Falcons?
Atlanta Falcons fans are once again asking the same question: why does this keep happening? In this mini episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon breaks down the recurring issues that continue to hold the Falcons back — from leadership ...
What the Buddhist Monks’ March in Georgia Teaches Us About Nonviolent Protest
Tharon reflects on the recent march by Buddhist monks through Georgia and draws a powerful connection to the Civil Rights Movement, Congressman John Lewis, and the nonviolent teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.The moment highlights how peaceful...
Ryan Wilson on Power, Perception, and Public Trust
Ryan Wilson joins Tharon’s Take for a wide-ranging conversation on power, perception, and public trust in today’s political landscape.We break down how political optics influence decision-making, why public confidence in leaders...
Jayden Williams: How Georgia’s Youngest Black Mayor Is Changing the Game!
In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with Jayden Williams, the youngest African American mayor ever elected in Georgia history.From navigating leadership at a young age to redefining what modern politics looks like, Jayden ...
Manuel’s Tavern: The Political Soul of Atlanta
If you’ve spent any time in Georgia politics, you’ve been to Manuel’s Tavern. It’s a place where campaigns were born, debates were settled, and history was made over a cold drink.In this episode, I share the story of Manuel’s, the people...
Georgia Election 2026: The Battle for Power Begins
Georgia is already gearing up for a high-stakes 2026 election year. In this episode, Tharon breaks down the key races to watch, the issues that will shape the ballot, and why Georgia continues to be one of the most influential states in America...
Tharon tackles the brawl between Gainesville and Brunswick
The latest episode of Tharon's Take centers on a brawl during a high school football playoff game between Gainesville and Brunswick, where 34 Gainesville players were suspended. The fight escalated when teammates tried to intervene...