PARENTS IN THE MIX, NEW PODCAST, HELPS PARENTS MONITOR THEIR CHILDREN’S MUSIC – Mature Subject Matter

If the adage is true that it takes a village to raise a child, then parents can definitely use help monitoring their kids’ music. Parents would be surprised to learn of the lyrical content of some of their children’s favorite artists whether mainstream or underground pop, rap, country, or rock acts.

“Parents in the Mix,” a fun new podcast hosted by husband and wife team Billy Johnson Jr. and Ebony Macon Johnson, keeps parents informed, giving them the valuable insight they need into their children’s playlists.

In the weekly 30-minute podcast, Billy and Ebony discuss topics like Taylor Swift singing about sneaking off with a bad boy on “Wildest Dreams,” the controversy Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” has sparked in the LGBT debate, plus the graphic, double entendre rooted in Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil’ Wayne’s “Truffle Butter.”

“Most parents don’t have the time to preview all of their children’s music,” said Billy, a music journalist who has interviewed hundreds of pop stars, including the likes of Beyoncé, Iggy Azalea and Justin Bieber. “Because of my work as a music journalist, I often find myself explaining the meaning of songs to shocked parents. Parents in the Mix is an extension of these conversations. I am happy that Ebony is involved because she definitely poses the questions important to concerned mothers.”

In addition to reviewing music from a parents’ perspective, Parents in the Mix also includes interviews with informed guests. The first episode features an interview with Grammy-nominated singer Shanice Wilson and her mother, Crystal Wilson Blackmon, who also co-star on the OWN reality series Flex & Shanice.

Listen to Parents In The Mix Podcasts

Shanice and Crystal recall making sure Shanice’s debut album was age-appropriate for the then 14-year-old recording artist. On the second episode, marriage and family therapist Annette Campo explains the therapeutic role music plays when counseling her teen clients. On the third episode, Seattle-based mother-daughter duo Betsy and Celia share a love for their city’s hip-hop superstar Macklemore.

Billy and Ebony, who have a set of school-age boy and girl twins, are entertainment business veterans. Billy has covered music as an editor and writer for numerous respected music news websites and magazines. He has also appeared as a music expert on television and radio programs. Ebony has an extensive history working on the business side in television and radio.

“When I was a kid, we played music on the family stereo for all to hear,” Billy explains. “Today, kids wear headphones and listen to music on their portable players. Parents in the Mix will help foster better communication between parents and their children when it comes to pop culture, giving parents talking points to spark dialogue with their children.”

For more information about Parents in The Mix, click here.