Hard Candy & Fruit Snacks

Melissa Mitchner of The Bark Shoppe

Season 2 Episode 19: As part of our series, BLACK BUSINESSES BREAKING BARRIERS, Carrie and Gloria talk with Melissa Mitchner, the Founder and CEO of The Bark Shoppe, a pet care company based in Harlem, New York. Check out the store:  or on Insta: @thebarkshoppe more about HCFS: https://linktr.ee/HCFSpodcast follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks  

Diversity at Work (re-release)

Season 2 Episode 18: Gloria and Carrie reflect on diversity at work during their careers, and share how they both ended up at the job that reunited them in their 20's. (re-release) 8 Ways to Promote Inclusion and Diversity at Work: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2021/01/25/eight-important-ways-to-promote-inclusion-and-diversity-in-your-workplace/?sh=3ff045096da1 more about HCFS: https://linktr.ee/HCFSpodcast follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hard...

Part 2 - White Guilt and Black Disparity (re-release)

Season 2 Episode 17: In this episode Gloria and Carrie continue to explore the differences of being white and black in America. And why it feels like Black Americans continue to get the short end of the stick. (re-release) an Atlantic article about Boston's METCO program by Alana Semuels: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/boston-metco-program-school-desegregation/584224/ more about HCFS: https://linktr.ee/HCFSpodcast follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast and Facebook: https...

White Guilt and Black Disparity - Part 1 (re-release)

Season 2 Episode 16: In this episode Carrie admits that white guilt often makes her over-compensate. Gloria talks about the conversations that occur at the dinner table when you’re raising a black son in America. (re-release) more about HCFS: https://linktr.ee/HCFSpodcast follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks

Us and Them (Re-Release)

Season 2 Episode 15: In this episode Gloria and Carrie talk about the social divide between them and attempts that were made at crossing that gap. (re-release) more about HCFS: https://linktr.ee/HCFSpodcast follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks

The Scholarship Winners!

Season 2 Episode 14 - With the generosity of over 200 donors, Carrie & Gloria were able to raise more than $60,000 to help 4 winners, and 17 runners-up, from Boston's inner-city pay for college. Today Carrie & Gloria speak to the 4 winners. learn more about 826Boston: https://826boston.org support the SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND:  more about HCFS: https://linktr.ee/HCFSpodcast follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks **This episod...

Secrets From The Suburbs

Season 2 Episode 13 - Carrie & Gloria reconnect with high school friend, Christian Matyi, who reveals some dark secrets from their past. Christian shares what it was like being a queer teenager at time when it was still socially taboo.  If you, or someone you know is a LGBTQ youth needing to talk we recommend Check out the Christian is: @christian_aka_xn or find him at:  &  join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast

Complicated Questions About Race

Season 2 Episode 12 - Carrie and Gloria address some complicated questions from listeners about race, acceptance and tolerance.  Here's the link to PBS KIDS Talk About: Race & Racism hosted by Amanda Gorman https://pbskids.org/video/dots-spot/3047127185 The books we referenced that Gloria read: “Hair Love” by Matthew Cherry and “I Love Being Me, Uniquely Me” by Karlene Froling join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpod...

Dear Naysayers

Gloria and Carrie talk about the trials and tribulations of creating a podcast about race.  Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND:  Check them out on THE DOCTORS:  On Boston's CityLine: https://www.wcvb.com/article/cityline-sun-may-23-2021-hard-candy-and-fruit-snacks/36489646# join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast

Code Switching

Code switching involves altering one’s appearance, speech, demeanor, and expression. Gloria and Carrie talk about the ramifications of code switching and how they’ve both adjusted their behaviors to fit in. Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast

Stop Asian Hate

Carrie and Gloria talk to Susan & Peivin Lee (@peivinlee), actor Eileen Fogarty (@FoggyinLA), and some listeners about the surge of violence against Asian Americans.  What You Can Do as A Bystander to Race Based Harrassment https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-19/how-to-help-after-racist-attacks Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/social-justice-scholarship join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAnd...

A Doctor Who Looks Like Me

Is it wrong to want a doctor that looks like you? Carrie and Gloria talk with psychologist, Dr. Jeff Gardere, and tackle this controversial issue.  NPR did a story about patients wanting Black doctors https://www.npr.org/2021/05/27/1000780657/black-women-try-to-avert-medical-racism-by-searching-for-black-doctors Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: https://give.826boston.org/give/338625/#!/donation/checkout join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFrui...

Answering Questions About Race - part 2

It's PART 2 of... Ask a Black Person, Ask a White Person! Carrie and Gloria are at it again tackling more of your questions.  Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/social-justice-scholarship join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast If you have more questions, email us: [email protected]

Answering Questions About Race - part 1

It's time for... Ask a Black Person, Ask a White Person! Gloria and Carrie tackle questions submitted by listeners.  Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/social-justice-scholarship join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast **This episode was sponsored by the Office of IDEaS, an initiative of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine, which ...

Diversity at Work

Carrie and Gloria reflect on diversity at work during their careers, and share how they both ended up at the job that reunited them in their 20's. 8 Ways to Promote Inclusion and Diversity at Work: https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2021/01/25/eight-important-ways-to-promote-inclusion-and-diversity-in-your-workplace/?sh=3ff045096da1 support our Social Justice Scholarship Fund:  join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSp...

Painful Pandemic Realities

The pandemic is a mental health crisis! Gloria and Carrie talk about navigating through it as working moms and all the stresses that keep piling up: working from home, parenting, avoiding getting Covid, while also trying to get loved ones vaccinated and so much more.  Support our SOCIAL JUSTICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/social-justice-scholarship Helpful links: If you need someone to talk to: 800-950-4357 or 833-317-4673 Plan your vaccine: more about the va...

Facing Racial Fears

Gloria and Carrie tackle the assumption that Black and white people fear each other. They explore the difference between "trust" and "fear". join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast if you're looking to support organizations that are working for social justice, we have donated to these:  

Vaccine Trials and Tribulations

Would you participate in a COVID-19 Vaccine trial? The vaccine trials were looking for more Black and Brown people to participate. We talked someone who signed up.     follow Dr. Pena on Twitter: @izabellapena1 an organization she created to help inform latinos and hispanics about Covid and more   join our conversations on Facebook: follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast

To Vaccinate or Not

In this episode Carrie and Gloria explore how historical medical injustices have created a racial divide in whether or not to trust the COVID-19 vaccines. They talk with Dr. Rich Joseph of Brigham and Women's Hospital about the vaccines and delve into the reality that some people are ready to get vaccinated while others are scared as hell! **This episode was sponsored by the Office of IDEaS, an initiative of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine, which fights for i...

Conflict and Conversations

Gloria and Carrie reflect on what it’s been like to put their conversations out into the world. They discuss how BLM has inspired white people to want to reach out to their black friends, but are often too afraid to follow through. NAACP Legal Defense Fund: https://www.naacpldf.org join our conversations on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HardCandyAndFruitSnacks follow us on Instagram: @HCFSpodcast

A METCO Counselor Drops Some Knowledge

Former METCO counselor Marian Howe-Taylor joins the conversation to drop some knowledge, and to set the record straight about Gloria's incident with the cops.   In this episode, Marian Howe-Taylor recites MIDWAY by, Naomi Long Madgett: I've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back I'm climbing to the highway from my old dirt track      I'm coming and I'm going      And I'm stretching and I'm growing And I'll reap what I've been sowing or my skin's not black I've prayed and slaved and wa...

Small Town Hate Crimes

This one goes deep. For the first time Gloria opens up to Carrie about a hate crime she experienced when they were in elementary school. They reflect on the racial tension that divided a community.

Different Buses, Different Hair, Different Snacks

Gloria and Carrie reminisce about their different morning routines growing up. Later, they share the story behind why they named the podcast: Hard Candy and Fruit Snacks. Gloria and Carrie's 3rd grade class. Support Boston's METCO program: https://metcoinc.org

Listen Up, I'm Speaking

Inspired Kamala Harris, Gloria and Carrie reflect on working together in their 20s and finding the courage to say "I'm speaking." 

White Guilt and Black Disparity – Part 2

Gloria and Carrie continue to explore the differences of being white and black in America. And why it feels like Black Americans continue to get the short end of the stick. an Atlantic article about Boston's METCO program by Alana Semuels https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/boston-metco-program-school-desegregation/584224/

White Guilt and Black Disparity - Part 1

In this episode Carrie admits that white guilt often makes her over-compensate. Gloria talks about the conversations that occur at the dinner table when you’re raising a black son in America. produced by: Frankie Fulleda, Gloria Harrison & Carrie Clifford

Us and Them

In this episode Gloria and Carrie talk about the social divide between them and attempts that were made at crossing that gap. produced by: Frankie Fulleda, Gloria Harrison & Carrie Clifford

Black Lives, Do They Matter?

In this episode, Gloria and Carrie begin to discuss Black Lives Matter. They break down what the movement means and what BLM has churned up for each of them. produced by: Frankie Fulleda, Gloria Harrison & Carrie Clifford music by: Alex Skolnick Trio  We have made donations to the following organizations in support on Black lives and equal justice under the law.  

Episode 1: BUSING BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS

Gloria and Carrie met when Gloria was part of the METCO program which bussed black kids from Boston to schools in the suburbs. In this episode they discuss growing up in two different worlds, and how Gloria had to straddle both, without feeling at home in either. produced by: Carrie Clifford, Gloria Harrison & Frankie Fulleda music by: Alex Skolnick Trio special thanks to: Paddy Hirsch, Eileen Fogarty For more on the busing program in Boston, listen to NPR's piece about METCO:

Hard Candy & Fruit Snacks