Episodes

  • Series Premieres November 15

    Series Premieres November 15
    Nov 9 2021
    Willis Hodges: abolitionist, author, freedom fighter. This Hampton Roads native and free man of color lived an extraordinary life. Much is still unknown about this untiring advocate of anti-slavery. Uncover the mystery starting November 15. (This program is made by possible by a grant from Virginia Humanities).
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Episode 1: The Network

    Episode 1: The Network
    Nov 15 2021
    We discover an abolitionist from Hampton Roads who was a close associate of John Brown. His name was Willis Hodges, and he was a free Black man living in Virginia before the Civil War. He formed a secret society in this community to help enslaved people escape. Who were the people in this secret group? The search begins. (This episode made possible with support from Virginia Humanities.)
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    29 mins
  • Episode 2: The Community

    Episode 2: The Community
    Nov 22 2021
    On the hunt for this secret network, we talk to people in Hampton Roads who are descended from the community of free Black people who lived side by side with white slave-owners. One of WHRO's senior producers is related to them. (This episode made possible with support from Virginia Humanities.)
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    23 mins
  • Episode 3: The Church

    Episode 3: The Church
    Nov 29 2021
    The exploration of this network leads WHRO to a church fighting for its survival and to a gravesite of people who died for freedom. (This episode made possible with support from Virginia Humanities.)
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    26 mins
  • Episode 4: The Escape Routes

    Episode 4: The Escape Routes
    Dec 6 2021
    The social network of free Black people is key to the mystery, but so is the terrain of Hampton Roads itself. We journey from the Great Dismal Swamp to the port of Norfolk to discover how people escaped from this area.
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    27 mins
  • Episode 5: The Answers

    Episode 5: The Answers
    Dec 13 2021
    With our understanding of Hodges' life, the social network, and the terrain of Hampton Roads, we can answer some questions about this secret society. The podcast was made possible by support from Virginia Humanities.
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    26 mins
  • Bonus Episode 1: Interview With Sandi Brewster-Walker

    Bonus Episode 1: Interview With Sandi Brewster-Walker
    Dec 20 2021
    Sandi Brewster-Walker is a descendant of Willis Hodges, and an expert on his life. She tells her story. The podcast was made possible by support from Virginia Humanities.
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    31 mins
  • Bonus Episode 2: Eric 'Mubita' Sheppard

    Bonus Episode 2: Eric 'Mubita' Sheppard
    Dec 27 2021
    Eric 'Mubita' Sheppard is a descendant of another Black abolitionist who escaped through the Great Dismal Swamp. Sheppard talks to Senior Producer Lisa Godley about the swamp's role in helping enslaved people.
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    Less than 1 minute