The fifth season of HELGA, a podcast hosted by critically acclaimed performing artist Helga Davis, launches on Nov. 15, 2022. Guests on the upcoming series include an array of prolific artists, writers and scholars working across disciplines, including Glenn Ligon, Claudia Rankine, Carrie Mae Weems, Tricia Rose, Macarena Gomez-Barris, and Arthur Jafa, in discussion on topics such as childhood, identity, race, democracy, and self-investigation. 

HELGA is produced by WNYC Studios and Brown Arts Institute at Brown University  (BAI). Dubbed “conversations with extraordinary people,” new episodes drop on Tuesdays from Nov.15-Feb. 7 and are available wherever you get your podcasts.

A New York City-based multidisciplinary actress, singer, writer, and composer, Davis speaks artist-to-artist with her guests as they share stories of struggle and resilience, challenges and victories along their creative journeys, providing inspiration and hope to listeners. Davis’ HELGA offers thoughtful and thought-provoking conversations to expand our collective perspective on the human condition and the daily stressors of the world today. Her collaboration with the Brown Arts Institute grew out of longtime work with BAI Artistic Director Avery Willis Hoffman, who, while Program Director at Park Avenue Armory in New York City, also executive-produced season four of HELGA. Season five extends the podcast’s range of topics and guests to include Brown University scholars and distinguished professors Tricia Rose and Macarena Gomez-Barris, and alumnus Kevin Young (MFA ’96).  

Since its debut in 2016, HELGA has featured guests including Solange, Peter Sellars, Krista Tippett, Elizabeth Alexander, Bethann Hardison, Esperanza Spalding, Judy Collins, Sarah Jones, and Hilton Als. 

Check out the HELGA season five guest lineup here!