our story—from the Back2Us Show to the Back2Us Radio Network
the pain vein connection
In March 2013, Dr. Annise Mabry felt her world come crashing down, when she got the call from her daughter’s school instructing her to “Come pick her up. Never bring her back.” This was the same school that had promised to stand by the family as her daughter fought her way out of clinical depression on the television series Trouble Next Door. At first, Dr. Mabry was crushed; and, just like all stages of grief goes, then she got angry. She took her pain and turned it outward. She reached out to her best friend and author, Dr. Sharon D. Shakespeare who was dealing with her own loss. Annise and Sharon decided to use their pain to create a movement that empowered others.
no experience, no plan, no problem
So Annise and Sharon started a podcast—with no experience in the radio industry, no knowledge of how to create a podcast, no existing audience, and no marketing strategy. Just one month, was what they agreed–they would do two shows and give it one month.
“Give away what you need the most.”
–Rev. Michelle A. Dowell-Vest
One month later, when Annise was reviewing the download stats and realized that their first show drew over 800 downloads and their second show drew 1800 downloads. One thing was clear—people were listening.
Annise knew they had to continue and Sharon agreed.
In June 2013, Annise finally realized that their podcast hosting package gave them the ability to host not one show per week but one two hour live show each day! They were only hosting one show every other week so this meant there was a lot of unused airtime each month.
Annise decided to give away the unused airtime and stood firmly in her belief that you must give away your greatest need. She turned to others in the LGBTQ community and gave them free airtime with an established audience so that they could spread their messages of self-empowerment, healing, advocacy, and awareness.
birthing Back2Us Network
In December 2013, the Back2Us Network was born. Annise now realized the growth potential for the Back2Us Network and knew to achieve it that she needed someone who shared a similar passion for empowerment and advocacy. So, she turned to her work wife Rev. Michelle A. Dowell-Vest, and the two once again made history by forming a partnership that leveraged their collective resources. #workwifelive
Back2Us Network Gets International Syndication
In less than 18 months, Back2Us Radio has published over 240 episodes, aired 2 missing person segments, launched a listener call to action for Kari’s Law on Change.Org, and became the first international LGBTQ podcast network on Voice Republic.
Listen to Us Everywhere
You can listen to Back2Us Radio from our website on your computer or on the go with your Android or Apple device! We are on TuneIn Radio, Player FM, Stitcher, and iTunes.
Come Grow with Us
If you are an activist or an advocate and have always thought about hosting your own podcast, Back2Us Radio would love to give you the airtime to get started.