Change The Narrative with JD Fuller: Recent Episodes
JD Fuller
Join two therapists from two different worlds as they break down the social narrative through their mental health lens. As a licensed Clinical Social Worker, educator, activist and truth seeker, JD engages with Hollywood royalty and therapist, Suzy Unger to host deep conversations with a wide variety of people exploring and defining what it will take to change the narrative.
Fatimah Gilliam, Esquire. is the Founder and CEO of The Azara Group. As a skilled strategist, business leader, negotiator, and trusted advisor, she has spent her career advancing her clients’ goals. She leverages her expertise to provide real-world guidance. Her mission is to empower her clients to be strong business leaders, drive results, have successful careers, and be strategic in influencing others. She is an author, lawyer, consultant, public speaker, and entrepreneur whose career combines expertise in the law, diversity, human capital, leadership, stakeholder engagement, and negotiations – helping organizations gain influence and strategic leverage, build coalitions and consensus, drive business and organizational goals, and advance workforce optimization. Ms. Gilliam is the author of the groundbreaking book, Race Rules: What Your Black Friend Won’t Tell You, which is an innovative, practical manual of the unwritten “rules” relating to race, helping people navigate polarizing issues. Race Rules provides much-needed how-to advice to drive equity and behavioral change. Introducing a straightforward, universal 3-step framework to unlearn racism, drive equity, and challenge misconceptions, it provides tips and tools on cross-racial interactions in people’s personal and professional lives.
What You Will Hear:
- Being on CNN to discuss her uncle Jesse Balmore’s murder by the government and it impact
- What Fatimah learned about herself during her incredibly diverse and successful career
- The key component in the art of negotiation
- Difference between a good leader and a great leader.
- DEI
- Race Rules: What Your Black Friends Won’t Tell You
Quotes:
“Don’t ask don’t get…… if you want it, you’ve got to ask for it because no one's going to ask for it for you.”
“Don’t negotiate against yourself.”
“One thing that I think is really important for people to recognize or think about when it comes to race is that it's not neutral….there is no neutral zone. You're either standing in opposition to racism, or you are standing in support of it.”
Mentioned
Race Rules
FatimahGilliam.com
I AM Music Group
Portia Burch is a Black queer activist and Omaha native with a specific focus on anti-racism work and abolition. Portia was activated by the murder of Michael Brown Jr. and the subsequent protests and riots in Ferguson, MO. As consciousness shifts towards reckoning with racism and white supremacy in the world, Portia is working to create spaces that are just and equitable as a way to build communities that are focused on healing and growing. She does this by curating and nurturing spaces to unlearn and decolonize behaviors that have upheld racism and white supremacy culture. Her priority is and will always be the uplifting of Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of the global majority. She is intentional in her work so that people working to be active anti-racists and social justice accomplices understand that by making the groups they advocate for their priority, the decolonization becomes a natural act and creates effective change.
What You Will Hear:
- The motivation for and importance of podcast episode “Let’s Heal Together: Make the Most Marginalized Voices the Ones Most Heard”
- The unaddressed white supremacy in the LGBTQ+ community
- Why black women, cisgendered, lesbian, hetero, and trans are still the most disrespected and silenced women
- How Portia deals with moments of hopelessness
- Surviving suicide attempts. Lifeaversaries
Quotes:
“I need for queer white people to remember that they are white first…….You can be white and gay, white and bi, white and poly, white and pan, any of those things, but you're white first, which means that if we're standing in a line and we're talking about anti-black rhetoric, you can appear to be straight and you don't have to deal with any of that. You might internalize it, but are you directly harmed by it? No, because nobody knows that you're queer. For me, if I wanted to, I could tuck my queer away, but I'm black all day long.”
“Twitter is the place where critical and cognitive thinking goes to die.”
“White women need to know that they still benefit from the patriarchy because the men that are in office, even though they're making laws that are detrimental to all white women, it's gonna hit them last. It’s gonna go through us first.”
“A sense of urgency is a characteristic of white supremacy.”
“Rest is an act of resistance, rest is an act of liberation and rest is a requirement not a reward. The sense of urgency isn't helping anybody because we're rushing to do things and what we're actually fighting for isn't working.”\
“If you're not checking in with you, if you're not touching in with you, part of you starts to die.”
“it's important to be loved. It's important to allow people to love you. It's important to share that love with somebody else. Whatever that love looks like, platonic, romantic, whatever the case may be, it's just important to have people.”
Mentioned
@portia.noir
Tiktok
X
Linktree
https://portiaburch.com/
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
I AM Music Group
Portia Burch is an activist and educator, with a focus on deconstructing current societal norms and systems in power to create a more equitable and just world. She believes in creating change from the inside out which involves identifying the root cause, where change needs to begin, and encouraging growth beyond. Portia works with both nonprofit and for profit organizations as well as private sectors.
What You Will Hear:
- Portia’s father’s influence
- Portia’s why and her legacy
- White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
- Whiteness, white supremacy, white fragility and aggression
- Children learning about race
- Community and collective mind set
Quotes:
“We're just human beings and we're doing our best, and if somebody shows you that they're trying, hold them close and hold that space for them.”
“I do what I do for black women.”
“Whiteness, inherently, is a place of defensiveness. it is never at fault. It's white people never do anything wrong. White people expect black people, indigenous people and other people, the global majority, to just give them a free pass, to accept the same apology over and over again.
The tears. the caring, the acting out because you didn't get your way, those are all characteristics of whiteness because white people can get away with it. You’re melanated people cannot.”
“You cannot be an ally in a war that you created.”
“there's no reason why a black child at five years old can have a conversation about race and a white child can't.”
Mentioned
https://portiaburch.com/
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide
I AM Music Group
Jill Nagle is a published author, coach, facilitator, and founder of Evolutionary Workplace. She aims to help reduce harm to Black and Brown people, as well as support white people in liberating themselves from the effects of white supremacy’s toxic mythology. She uses somatic tools to help white anti-racist leaders dismantle white supremacy and liv their most aligned lives from the inside out. She’s working on her book called Skin in the Game: How White People Benefit from Dismantling White Supremacy, and hopes to find a publisher very soon. You can find out more about Jill Nagle at EvolutionairyWorkplace dot com.
What You Will Hear:
- Corporate contract work and Jill’s focus
- Healers
- Dismantling white supremacy
- Dysfunctional white psyche
Quotes:
“I think that dismantling white supremacy, mythology, that work ought to be done by white people and it ought to be done by white people seeking out other white people, particularly those who are resistant because we have a certain kind of privilege. “
“The compartmentalization is attached to the, into the individualism of the white culture and so it can compartmentalize it and not necessarily feel this today and recognize it tomorrow, and that is yet another bit of access and privilege that can be experienced on behalf of the white culture.”
“I think that what white supremacy, mythology does to white people is it strips us of our full humanity. “
“Poor and working class white bodies do not have a collective identity within which to organize.”
“My intent is to shift the discussion from whether or not an individual white person is racist and how racist are they, that kind of provokes defensiveness and shame, to let's stand together and look at this phenomenon called white supremacy mythology that we are all subject to and let's think together and work together to unpack that from our beings so that we can feel more sane and we can be more effective in dismantling it and preventing harm to black and brown bodies.
Mentioned
Evolutionaryworkplace.com
Robin DiAngelo
Lily Jang The Ethical Sellout
Jacob Holt American Pictures
Daryl Davis
I AM Music Group
James Joyce III is Founder and Chief Visionary Ocer of Coee With A Black Guy, an innovative movement in which he provides consultation and coaching that is rooted in facilitating conversations about race and perspective for community groups and organizations. Joyce is an educator, a former award-winning journalist, and runner up in the 2021 Santa Barbara mayoral election.
James Joyce III is an educator, public servant—civil rights activist and social entrepreneur that founded Coffee with a Black Guy. At its foundation, CWABG serves as a safe place for interactive, community conversations about a variety of issues from the perspective of a Black man. It's been a growing, grassroots effort hosted by Joyce and his team to help put an end to racism.
For these efforts and more, several organizations have recognized Joyce and his innovation, including the Ventura County (CA) branch of the NAACP who awarded Joyce with their 2018 Distinguished Citizen Award. It's bestowed upon an individual whose groundbreaking work increases understanding and awareness of racial and social issues. Forbes also featured Joyce and his work with CWABG in a piece published during the Covid-19 outbreak. In that, Joyce was recognized for his outstanding leadership in aiding anti-racist conversations even during a worldwide pandemic. He's also served as keynote speaker for the University of British Columbia’s 2021 Social Enterprise Conference, among more.
Currently serving as adjunct faculty for the Santa Barbara City College Career Skills Institute, for much of the past decade Joyce has served as District Director for California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (Ret.), who represented nearly 1 million constituents within Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, until terming out in Dec. 2020. In that role, Joyce was responsible for the day-to-day operations representing the Senator and her work. Known as a sturdy leader and champion for justice, Joyce has served on various advisory boards in the area including Impact Hub Santa Barbara (now Kiva Cowork), the Ventura County Leadership Academy (Joyce was awarded the 2021 Alumnus of the Year), and the Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals.
Joyce is also on the board for the Common Table Foundation (formerly the Lois and Walter Capps Project), Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara, TV Santa Barbara, formerly the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapist Education Foundation, as well as the national board for Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), where he helped found the collegiate chapter while a student-athlete at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
An award-winning journalist, Joyce, a Maryland-native is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., currently active with Xi Iota Lambda Alumni Chapter, seated in Camarillo, CA. Joyce was runner up in the 2021 Santa Barbara mayoral election, securing 27 percent of the votes cast among 6 candidates. Now, Joyce leverages more than two decades of public service and journalism experience to provide impactful insight for groups an individuals seeking to gain better cross-cultural understanding
KL Collins is a Cornell University graduate who has worked for several large studios, including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks. After years of writing as hobby, he took a draft of his screenplay, Talk Show, and used it to gain entrance into the Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship Program at the University of Southern California. Kevin has written a number of books but more recently, he has completed his third book—his first non-fiction work—The White Supremacy Playbook: Decoded about the inner workings of white supremacy and its impact on Blacks and other people of color. We are so excited to discuss his latest endeavor and to catch up Kevin today on CTN w/JD Fuller
What You Will Hear:
- The motivation behind Kevin’s new book, The White Supremacy Playbook: Decoded
- Tone, anger, sadness and the message
- White supremacy indoctrination
- The manifestations of racism
- The unfortunate marriage of racism and misogyny
- Collateral damage
- Hollywood’s racism and desensitizing
- Rebranding: What does it look like to rebrand the US and the world.
- What Kevin has learned throughout the years and throughout the process.
Quotes:
“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”
“When I worked in corporate, I didn't try to sit at the table. If I went into a conference room with a bunch of people, a lot of times I would go sit on the wall and you don't realize all the different ways in which you're subliminally saying, I don't see myself as being valid sitting there.”
“We've been living in this narrative as if it's reality, and now we're starting to deconstruct it and realize that it's narrative. It's not reality.”
“There's a discomfort of seeing black people congregating, even if they're just having fun, that makes some people uncomfortable.”
Mentioned
The White Supremacy Playbook: Decoded
James Baldwin
Joy DeGruy
Connect with JD
@chnge_the_narrative
I AM Music Group
Description
Leteria Bailey is a motivated Jamaican-American professional with a passion for serving and advocating for youth and people of color (POC). Through her work serving 5 NGOs in Montgomery County, Maryland, Leteria has researched and developed digital platforms, coordinated public-facing organization events, and supported the distribution of over 1.3 million dollars to fund countywide youth development programs.
In 2016 Leteria founded Young Black and Aware to bring national awareness to police brutality and racism in communities of color. Young Black and Aware has garnered international recognition by highlighting social justice issues on a daily basis. As of January 2021, online engagement surpasses 350,000 persons monthly. Notable supporters of Young Black and Aware include American Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Activist Brittany Packnett-Cunningham, and Artist Bisa Butler. Follow @youngblackandaware on Instagram. She has gotten into so much this since the last time we shared space so we are so happy to welcome her back to catch up on CTN with JD Fuller
What You Will Hear:
- Consistent theme of lessons and growth
- What it’s like to be an activist in white space, especially corporate America
- The sellout factor
- Activism throughout the country
- Sense of urgency about the banning of black history
- White supremacy
- The awakening after George Floyd’s murder
- Using social media to inform the work without desensitizing it
- Addiction
- Trauma
- Should black people stop using the N-word
Quotes:
“You never know when you might need some kindness back….Get what you give out.”
‘Grassroots is the answer.”
“I feel a sense of urgency about the fact that they're banning black history in our schools, and I don't think that there's enough of an outrage about it.”
“White supremacy demands the perfect victim. “
“In this anti-black world. They will demonize you before they try to give you grace.”
“George Floyd wasn't the first, and there was many after him.”
“We have to stop subscribing to the fact that there is not enough power amongst us to finally Cease and desist. “
Mentioned
@YoungBlackandAware
Youngblackandaware@youngblackandaware
Sleuth, Gang or Die
Connect with JD
@chnge_the_narrative
I AM Music Group
Buck Angel's message of empowerment through self-acceptance and the mission to encourage everyone to be comfortable in their own skin - whatever that means to them - has struck a passionate chord with people around the world. Buck was born female on June 5,1962. He never felt female and struggled through life until he had the life-changing opportunity to transition from female to male and finally live life authentically. He had many obstacles during his transition mostly due to no information for transitioning for FTM transsexuals. Since then he has managed to live his truth and he continues to help to educate the world with his story. His mission is to inspire people to redefine gender and to foster a new generation as they discover the fluidity of sexuality and navigate gender politics. His message, "It's not what is between your legs that defines you." has sparked many conversations and opened minds. Buck is a truth teller and he is here to share his perspective and experience today on Change the Narrative with JD Fuller.
Mentioned
@buckangel
Twitter/ X
Youtube
I AM Music Group
When David Romano began to feel the early symptoms of depression in middle school, he thought everyone felt that way, and that it was part of growing up. The popular student and multi-sport athlete tried to maintain his outward image as the fun, goofy kid, and used sports and other activities to cover his inner struggle. A mental health checklist he read in health class shone a light on his symptoms and his life changed forever. After some ups and downs, David began his mental health journey. Since then David has focused his energies on self-healing and spreading awareness about mental health and Suicide prevention. David has a private practice and he travels around they country to share his lived experience
Mentioned
Minnesota Center for Psychology
Guiding Light Wellness
ActiveMinds.org
Instagram @guidinglightwell
I AM Music Group
Description
Dr. Jennifer Mullan, founder of Decolonizing Therapy, wrote the book, "Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma & Politicizing Your Practice,”. Dr. Mullan, lovingly called “The Rage Doctor”, is also an organizational consultant, teacher, course creator, community builder, and decolonized mental health movement starter. She has been featured in Allure, GQ, The Today Show, Cosmopolitan, and The Calgary Journal. She received ESSENCE magazine’s 2020 Essential Hero Award in the category of Mental Health.
What You Will Hear:
- Dr. Mullan’s childhood and adolescence
- Pivotal moment
- Development of her new book
- Connection to lineage
- Unraveling the cultural and collective noose
- Decolonizing therapy
- Mental Health
- Reclamation of the past
- Cultural limitations
- Rage
Quotes:
“Living in the Bay Area and doing some really deep inner work on myself and doing rage work with Ruth King and others allowed me to reframe and restructure how I allowed whiteness to see me and how I allowed that gaze or that view to impact me and my spirit.”
“For too long the goal of therapy has been to help people adapt to oppression and cope with ongoing trauma of colonial, capitalis and white supremasists.”
“That gatekeeping, even into the ivory tower, is real.”
“Decolonizing Therapy is really supposed to be a resource for a lot of therapeutic classrooms.”
“Me and rage have a love affair.”
“Rage, I believe, is the love child of ancestral trauma and all different types of trauma, shame, and the kind of grief we're not allowed to talk about, that disenfranchised, suffocated grief.”
“It is important for us to try to build new ways of coping in our bodies and our systems in ways that help us ground ourselves.”
Mentioned
Decolonizingtherapy.com
Dr. Tasha Borchell
Maria Yellowhorse Braveheart
I AM Music Group
Description
Dr. Eric FitzMedrud is a culturally aware clinician, trainer, speaker, podcast guest, author and a licensed psychologist. He specializes in evidence-based practices that include sex-positive wisdom and celebrating the joys of pleasure. Eric’s new book is The Better Man, A Guide to Consent, Stronger relationships and Better Sex.
What You Will Hear:
- Consent conversations and pleasure
- Intersection of varied bodies and culture
- Vulnerability
- Meta communication
- Becoming a better asshole
- Sexual shame and core wounds
- Developing empathy
Quotes:
“The reality of vulnerability is also when we are vulnerable with each other, sometimes we hurt each other unintentionally. “
“Empathy is a two-way street, but sometimes it needs to only flow in one direction at a time.”
“if there's not something that you love, then you're dangerous because if you don't love something, then you don't have any basis for empathy. Your pain comes because you are alive. Your pain comes because you love something. And if you can't pay attention to and integrate that pain, you can't mobilize your love.”
Mentioned
The Better Man
DrEricFitz.com
@drericfitz
Twitter/X
James Baldwin
I AM Music Group
Dr. Eric FitzMedrud is a culturally aware clinician, trainer, speaker, podcast guest, author and a licensed psychologist. He specializes in evidence-based practices that include sex-positive wisdom and celebrating the joys of pleasure. Eric’s new book is The Better Man, A Guide to Consent, Stronger relationships and Better Sex.
What You Will Hear:
- Who is Eric FritzMedrud?
- Relationships and sex
- Misconceptions about open relationships and polyamory
- Improvements as a clinician
- Book: The Better Man, A Guide to Consent, stronger Relationships and Hotter Sex.
- Out of control sexual behavior and porn addiction
- Communication
- Identifying as a man, performance demand, romantic myths and toxic masculinity
- Eric’s personal experience and consent conversations
Quotes:
“If there isn't heart connection, if there isn't an ability to regulate conflict, if there isn't a lot of other capacity for relationship and self-soothing, then showing up vibrantly and energetically sexually becomes impossible.”
“If you are with a male partner and he's having a hard time showing up for you, receiving your desire, telling you what he really desires, one of the most important things that you can do is bring a non-judgmental openness.”
“it's so important to understand that it's a loss for for men and when they subscribe to a patriarchal culture as well.”
Mentioned
The Better Man
DrEricFitz.com
@drericfitz
Twitter/X
I AM Music Group
Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer who built his career fighting for survivors of domestic violence, asylum seekers, and low income communities. He and his family immigrated from Pakistan to the United States with his family when he was five. As a child, Qasim grew up in Section 8 housing in DuPage county. Qasim’s parents, who were both teachers, instilled in him a deep commitment of service to humanity and upholding justice. Throughout his legal career, Qasim has seen how the country’s laws and systems unfairly worked for those who already had money and power and left everyone else behind. He’s running for Congress to demand justice and ensure that the government works for everyone. Outside of public service, Qasim is an author, lawyer, and dad joke aficionado. The loves of his and Ayesha’s lives are their three children, aged 14, 10, and 7. They are trying to convince Qasim to adopt a special breed of dog that gets sad when you feed it cantaloupe…known as a melon collie.
What You Will Hear:
- Qasim’s upbringing and being an immigrant
- Anti-blackness and immigration
- The depth of Islamophobia in the USA
- Post 9/11 unity myth
- How Qasim got in to law and his specific practice
- Service to humanity
- The power of collaborative education
- Gun control and the right wing media's indoctrination tactics
- Police brutality and the injustice system in the US
- Qualified immunity and psychological testing
- Climate crisis and poverty stats
- What true government powered by the people could look like
- Engaging the global majority
Quotes:
“In Pakistan I'm not really Pakistani because I was raised in the United States and the United States I'm not really American because I wasn't born here and so there's a constant struggle that's in the back of your mind and it's the duality that society wants you to force you into a box.”
“ I've been extraordinarily fortunate to have brilliant scholars guide me and teach me and the good fortune to have the sense to shut up and listen.”
“If you wanna talk to me about your values, show me your actions and service to humanity, “
“For me greatest form of worship is to serve all humanity.”
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your time here on Earth.” - Muhammed Ali
“I think foundationally it's important that people find their comfort zone and learn to step out of it. That's really where life begins to have, in my view, more value, more meaning and more sustainability.”
“I believe healthcare is a fundamental human right and just because someone is a bigot or a racist or an islamophobe or a homophobe doesn't change the fact that healthcare is a fundamental human right and we need to provide that support no matter what.”
“The reality is that if we continue to send law enforcement for issues that don't reflect their training, then we are perpetuating a system of violence…..because we're asking them to do things that they're just not trained to do.”
“Law enforcement responds to crime, but a living wage, healthcare, access, education, clean food, air and water, prevent crime. So if we want safer communities, invest in people, not punishments.”
“It is not diversity for the sake of diversity, it's representation for the sake of reality.”
“For us to dismantle these systems of white supremacy and the economic injustice that they uphold, we have to create a sense of reality.”
“Ensuring children have leaders and mentors that have their lived experiences allows our children to have better lived experiences as well.”
“Those systems of white supremacy are dismantled when we uphold justice, when we have representation that reflects reality and we have a multiracial, multi-cultural, multi-gender coalition of people working together for that common cause of justice.”
“ I know that which I'm asking you is impossible, but the impossible is the least that we can demand. When you look at the spectacle of human history in general and black history in particular, you are emboldened by witnessing nothing less than the perpetual achievement of the impossible.” - James Baldwin
Mentioned
QasimRashid.com
@qasimrashid
TikTok
Twitter/ X
Virginia Poverty Law Center
Mary Robinette
James Baldwin
I AM Music Group
Description
Fletcher Cleaves is a native of Memphis, TN who decided to turn his tragedy into a testimony. As an advocate and motivational presenter, he speaks out against the dangers of texting and driving as well as overcoming adversity. He aspires to share his journey in hopes it will save lives and inspire others to reach their goals, regardless of the challenges they may face.
What You Will Hear:
- Growing up and family dynamics
- Recognizing his athleticism
- Benefits from growing up and learning in different environments inner city vs suburbs
- Life altering car accident, recovery and sacrifice
- Becoming the Wheelchair Nomad
- Sky Is Not The Limit
Quotes:
“Team sports and the way I was rendered definitely gave me the mindset of facing all the obstacles I face today.”
“If you ain't been through nothing in life, that means you ain't live long enough. So understand adversity is going to happen, It's part of life. “
“It's not what happens to you that defines you. It's how you respond to it.”
“Don't let your current circumstances dictate your future. You can always make a better tomorrow.”
“Within the path of the journey of being me I became an inspiration and I'm just so happy that something so simple as being myself can help so many people change lives.”
“How big would you dream if you knew you couldn't fail if you knew failure was impossible? “
“Stop being afraid to fail. Everything you want in life is on the other side of fear. Everything you want in life is on the other side of, I don't feel like it. So once you get past, I don't feel like it and once you get past being afraid your greatest success is right around the corner.”
Mentioned
Fletchercleaves.com
Instagram Twitter @rollinonfaith
Facebook @thewheelchairnomad
Youtube @fletchercleaves
I AM Music Group
Urban educator and inner-city school advocate Jasmyn Williams is an Upper Elementary School Dean in East Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years she has developed the awareness, compassion, and knowledge to effectively lead and educate students with severe behavioral needs and learning disabilities in the inner city realm. In 2019, she received a Master of Education from Ursuline College. Prior to graduate school she attended Bowling Green State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. As a speaker with a focus on Urban Ed, Jasmyn leads professional development sessions and coaches teachers on various strategies to use when building relationships and working with Students of Color. As an advocate for Students of Color, she works to bring awareness through dialogue and community service in hopes of liberation.
What You Will Hear:
- Impact of being raised by a young mother and grandparents
- Providing resources rooted in wellness, equity, intellectualism and love
- Leadership and being an instructional coach, an assistant principal, and an urban educator.
- Urban education in non urban communities
- Reading proficiency. Systemic issues in assessments and testing
- Social emotional learning
- Environmental effects on learning
- Book suggestions (See Mentioned below)
Quotes:
“Wellness is accessible to you even if you are from an environment that is not ideal.”
“Equity is asking how can I get every student there? There can be so many different things and so my job is to figure out what is there for my children, for our students, and then what can we do to get them there.”
“I think that it's our job as educators to show what healthy love is.”
“There's just so many layers that go into a child's ability to be successful “
“The earlier we can allow children to know that they're individual, the better, because they're not forcing themselves to fit in these spaces that they just don't fit in.”
Mentioned
The Urban Edu
Black Appetite, White Food
Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
The Color of Law
We Want To Do More Than Survive
The Equity and Social Justice Education
I AM Music Group
Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses (Black) historical narratives to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens. Mr. Crim, a south side of Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate, is a former high school history educator of 12 years, who now advocates for social justice issues and teaches Black History to the world through social media with a platform that reaches over 2 million people monthly. Additionally, he is the CEO of Crim’s Cultural Consulting LLC, an international speaker, an author of two bestsellers (‘Black History Saved My Life’ and ‘The ABCS of Affirming Black Children’) and a passionate progressive education activist, who has been featured on CNN, ABC, WGN, PBS, CBS, NBC & Newsweek, amongst various other outlets.
What You Will Hear:
- Attending HBCUs
- The importance of community
- Teaching and history
- Black culture and cultural genocide
- Black on black crime phenomenon
- Nutritional options in black communities
Quotes:
“As black folks we have to have community to exist and to thrive and oftentimes in a majority white or mixed environment we might not be able to fully find that .”
“That was the process of enslavement, to disconnect us with who we naturally are and who we really are.”
“The engine of our group oppression is always cultural genocide,” - Asa Hilliard
“We are community first, family first, spirituality first, and all things flow from that.”
“Whoever controls your kitchen, controls your revolution.” - Elijah Muhammad
Mentioned
@MrCrim3 Instagram facebook X Youtube
@Ernest Crim III LinkedIn
Ernestcrim.com
Greg Carr
Daniel Black
Brian Midler
Asa Grant Hilliard III
Carter G. Woodson
Elijah Muhammad
I AM Music Group
Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses Black historical narratives to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens. Mr. Crim, a south side of Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate, is a former high school history educator of 12 years, who now advocates for social justice issues and teaches Black History to the world through social media with a platform that reaches over 2 million people monthly. Additionally, he is the CEO of Crim’s Cultural Consulting LLC, an international speaker, an author of two bestsellers, ‘Black History Saved My Life’ and ‘The ABCS of Affirming Black Children’ and a passionate progressive education activist, who has been featured on CNN, ABC, WGN, PBS, CBS, NBC & Newsweek, amongst various other outlets.
What You Will Hear:
- Ernest’s books, Black History Saved My Life: How My Viral Hate Crime Led to An Awakening and The ABCs of Affirming Black Children.
- Raising children within the systems of the US
- Creatively strategizing how we can use our past to create a better future entrenched in equitable practices.
- Crim’s Cultural Consulting LLC
- Standardized testing and language
Quotes:
“A hate crime is usually the one of the least racist things we deal with in the present day.”
“We need our kids to see themselves in all shades, like all of it.“
“We feel as though just playing by the rules of this society that we'll be okay and it comes to a point as black folks in this country and in the world where you're reminded that you have to do more. There's whiteness everywhere you look. That becomes the mirror, and if we look in the other mirror and don't see that then we start changing things”
“We are so accepting of so little.”
“Your household should really look like a school. I 'm not saying chalkboard. I'm saying the images your kids see, I'm saying the time you devote to talking with them and conversing with them, because we talk about equitable practices, that starts at home,”
“I'm pro-black, so it's like, equity for me means we gotta make sure that we are building things moving forward that can help us all, gotta make sure we're all good.”
“One of the things I really dislike about our public education system is it is the antithesis of science-based. It defines logic.”
Mentioned
ErnestCrim.com
Black History Saved My Life: How My Viral Hate Crime Led to An Awakening
The ABCs of Affirming Black Children.
I AM Music Group
Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses Black historical narratives to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens. Mr. Crim, a south side of Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate, is a former high school history educator of 12 years, who now advocates for social justice issues and teaches Black History to the world through social media with a platform that reaches over 2 million people monthly. Additionally, he is the CEO of Crim’s Cultural Consulting LLC, an international speaker, an author of two bestsellers, ‘Black History Saved My Life’ and ‘The ABCS of Affirming Black Children’ and a passionate progressive education activist, who has been featured on CNN, ABC, WGN, PBS, CBS, NBC & Newsweek, amongst various other outlets.
What You Will Hear:
- Ernest’s books, Black History Saved My Life: How My Viral Hate Crime Led to An Awakening and The ABCs of Affirming Black Children.
- Raising children within the systems of the US
- Creatively strategizing how we can use our past to create a better future entrenched in equitable practices.
- Crim’s Cultural Consulting LLC
- Standardized testing and language
Quotes:
“A hate crime is usually the one of the least racist things we deal with in the present day.”
“We need our kids to see themselves in all shades, like all of it.“
“We feel as though just playing by the rules of this society that we'll be okay and it comes to a point as black folks in this country and in the world where you're reminded that you have to do more. There's whiteness everywhere you look. That becomes the mirror, and if we look in the other mirror and don't see that then we start changing things”
“We are so accepting of so little.”
“Your household should really look like a school. I 'm not saying chalkboard. I'm saying the images your kids see, I'm saying the time you devote to talking with them and conversing with them, because we talk about equitable practices, that starts at home,”
“I'm pro-black, so it's like, equity for me means we gotta make sure that we are building things moving forward that can help us all, gotta make sure we're all good.”
“One of the things I really dislike about our public education system is it is the antithesis of science-based. It defines logic.”
Mentioned
ErnestCrim.com
Black History Saved My Life: How My Viral Hate Crime Led to An Awakening
The ABCs of Affirming Black Children.
I AM Music Group
Description
Daniel Collins has had a challenged but also blessed journey. He had it all, then lost it, more than once and now he’s coming back. Daniel is transparent about his journey and the good news is he didn't give up! Daniel continues to be an activist for anti Black racism and prison reform. He's back to give us updates and to talk about his new adventure with a wonderful company that has a unique housing solution designed to make housing more affordable. Welcome back to Change the Narrative with JD Fuller.
What You Will Hear:
- Losing his professional baseball career to drugs and addiction
- Daniel’s childhood and upbringing
- Life altering change in prison
- Blowing up on social media after his release
- Mental health court, therapy and opportunity
- Prison reform
- Lessons learned
- Project Lift
- Containing Luxury building container homes
Quotes:
“I still had emptiness inside of me, and that's what addiction was for me. It was just filling that void.”
“This whole idea of incarceration in and of itself is, to me, barbaric and archaic. Like everything about it.”
“It's modern day slavery, the 13th amendment is the abolishment of slavery except when punishable by a crime.”
“The black codes literally started targeting black people for nothing other than essentially being black.”
“Slave labor was such an integral part of the southern economy that without it the economy will collapse.”
Mentioned
Instagram @confessionsofaconvict
TikTok @dannyfcollins
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
13th Ava DuVernay
Project Lift
Containing Luxury
I AM Music Group
JD and Martin Drux discuss the need for diversity and inclusion in corporate spaces. Martin is a multinational executive who manages cross-cultural teams for a Global US-headquartered consulting firm. When the world shut down Martin’s opened up and that’s when he found Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI&B). It became his new passion and Martin is now committed to owning & driving the agenda from within the business he is in charge of. In 2023, Martin became a finalist for the AXCO Global Insurance Award in the Diversity & Inclusion category.
What You Will Hear:
- Martin’s journey and background
- What a multi-national executive who manages cross-cultural teams for a global US headquarters consulting firm does.
- The key element of networking
- Post-pandemic sustainability, recruitment policy, and practice
- Lack of equity, opportunity, and access
- Prevalence of anti-black racism
Quotes:
“What I think I really like is the opportunity to participate in somebody else’s lived experience.”
“I think what we need to change the narrative here is that it’s really more about looking at the entire talent out there and give an equal opportunity and really try to get the best to the top.”
“If we look at our top management it’s still very much dominated by white men.”
“I find the world more interesting where there is fair competition.”
Mentioned
Jolly Good Ginger
I AM Music Group
JD and Dr. Ally continue their conversation around mind, body, community, healing and everything next level. Dr. Allycin Powell Hicks, aka Dr. Ally has her PhD in clinical psychology. She is the host of Discovery Plus and OWN's tv show that she hosts with her mother, Dr. Cynthia, aptly named Like Mother Like Daughter. From self worth, to anxiety, to self doubt, Dr. Ally has the coolest card decks called Doux. As a consultant, a coach, a mental health expert and brand strategist she helps other and shifts their perspective aligning with their true purpose and building confidence
JD Welcomes back Dr. Ally. Dr. Allycin Powell Hicks, aka Dr. Ally, has her PhD in clinical psychology. She is the host of Discovery Plus and OWN’s tv show that she hosts with her mother, Dr. Cynthia, aptly named Like Mother Like Daughter. From self worth, to anxiety, to self doubt, Dr. Ally has the solution. She is an entrepreneur, a media personality and the creator of one of the coolest card decks called Doux. As a consultant, a coach, a mental health expert and brand strategist she helps others and shifts their perspective aligning with their true purpose and building confidence.
AllycinHicks.com
Resmaa Menakem is the author of “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies,” published in September 2017, which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list in May 2021 as well as "The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning," published in 2022. Resmaa is the founder of the Cultural Somatics Institute. He also wrote Monsters in Love: Why Your Partner Sometimes Drives You Crazy- and he tells us what to do about it. He has done more interviews than I can count, including the Breakfast Club. Resmaa has single-handedly changed JD and many others' professional and personal life.
What You Will Hear:
- The Quaking of America
- Healing in and through the body
- What do bodies of culture need to do to continue thriving and moving forward
- White bodies deflecting white body supremacy and embodied gnawing
- The growth area = gnawing and discomfort
- The soil of America
- Trauma Trump and learned templates (victim and perpetrator)
- The Mirror
- What’s next for Resmaa
Quotes:
“Recent studies and discoveries increasingly point out that we heal primarily in and through the body, not just through the rational brain. We can all create more opportunities for growth in our nervous system, but we do this primarily through what our bodies experience and do not through what we think or realize cognitively.”
“We learn from what our parents or our care caregivers recoil from and lean into, not just by what the instructions that they give to us.”
“You are not defective.”
“Bodies of culture have been gnawing at us every moment we live because racial trauma persists.”
“Embodied gnawing is the way towards generative knowledge. You cannot get knowledge without gnawing.”
“The growth area is actually in the shit that you don't like to do.”
“The Dark Ages wasn't the dark ages because motherfuckers turned off the light. It was the Dark Ages because it was some brutal, foul shit happening from powerful white bodies to less powerful white bodies.”
“The plantation organized white people.”
“White folks have created a world that is on fucking fire, like literally on fire, and we keep trying to take our buckets and throw water on it, and they keep squeezing kerosene on the other side.”
Mentioned
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies
The Quaking of America
Resmaa Menakem
Mama Rose Underground Books
Penumbra Theater Group
I AM Music Group
Resmaa Menakem is the author of “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies,” published in September 2017, which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list in May 2021 as well as "The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning," published in 2022. Resmaa is the founder of the Cultural Somatics Institute. He also wrote Monsters in Love: Why Your Partner Sometimes Drives You Crazy- and he tells us what to do about it. He has done more interviews than I can count, including the Breakfast Club. Resmaa has single handedly changed my professional and personal life and numerous others.
What You Will Hear:
- The catalyst and ripple effect of My Grandmother’s Hands
- Iatrogenesis
- White supremacy trauma and how it can manifest in culture, family traits, personality traits, et cetera.
- Decontextualizing trauma
- The Plantation and white body supremacy
- Clean pain vs dirty pain and white ferality
- Our virtues and our limitations
- How white bodies can hold each other accountable
- Tools vs toys
- The pervasiveness and persistence of white body supremacy
- Human growth and healing
- Privilege vs advantage
- Liberatory work and appealing to the kindness of white people
Quotes:
“Trauma works in alignment with your virtues. Trauma works in alignment with what you do best. Trauma works in alignment with what fuels you.”
“The white body deems and has deemed itself the supreme standard by which all bodies, humanity shall be measured structurally and philosophically.”
“The most enduring structure in America is the plantation.”
“White bodies have collective understanding or efficacy when it comes to race.”
“A key factor in the perpetration of white body supremacy is many people's refusal to experience clean pain around the myth of race. Instead, usually out of fear, they choose the dirty pain of silence and avoidance. And inevitably or invariably, Prolong the pain.”
“Our virtues are wrapped inside of our limitations. It is only when we are close in proximity to others that we begin to intimately explore the boundaries of virtues by slamming into our limit limitations.”
“White folks want to do good shit and wanna do good things when it comes to race but they have not developed the conditioning and done any conditioning around race communally……they have to begin to get together in a room and sit with each other and try and work with not a book club. A book club is like crack to a white woman.”
“When you're talking about liberatory work, you're talking about a toy box, an exploration, a sitting with I don’t know if this is gonna work, but I'm gonna try it anyway. That's different than tools.”
“White body supremacy is the water, not the shark.”
“You can both be brutalized by something and be benefited by the brutalization at the same time.”
“In today's America, we tend to think of healing as something binary, either we're broken or we're healed from that brokenness, but that's not how healing operates. It's almost never
How human growth works.”
“What has happened to our peoples and continues to happen to our people ain't happening to our people individually. It's happening communally. So only developing individual response to a communal horror is inadequate. It's not enough.”
“White folks are not privileged by white body supremacy. They're advantaged by white body supremacy.”
Mentioned
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies
I AM...
Description
Natasha Desjardins is a trusted, creative, result-driven Human Resources Practitioner and DEI Strategist with expertise at the intersections of HR, DENI, and Wellness. Natasha has a proven track record of enhancing employee experience, engagement, and retention. Her impact spans industries such as Public Media/ Broadcasting and trade associations (Non- profit), Marketing and Branding Agencies (For-profit), and Federal Government Consulting Agencies. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Management with an HR focus from the University of Maryland , and a certificate to Lead in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from North Western University.We
What You Will Hear:
- What is most important about Natasha
- Natashas childhood in Haiti
- Micro aggression vs intentional aggression
- Becoming a Human Resources Practitioner
- Burnout
- Therapy
- The biggest barrier to driving transformative change.
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- Mental health advocacy within HR
- DEI and accessibility
Quotes:
No matter what your background is or what industry that you work in, you need a network. You need people who support you who are there for you and for me, it has been friends, family, but most importantly, my therapist.”
“There is a misconception that people get into HR because they love people.”
“Communication and follow up are keys to successful HR practices.”
“If we are inclusive, if we are truly inclusive to the diversity of our audiences, the accessibility should be covered “
Mentioned
JD sits down with filmmaker Pallavi Somusetty to talk about identity, representation, consumerism, truth and filmmaking. Pallavi creates doc portraits that center BIPOC voices in the hope that we feel fully seen in the complexities of our identities and journeys, and that meaningful impact can result. Since 2020, she has been a series producer for A-Doc (including Emmy-nominated series Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond) and is a supervising producer for their 2024 shorts initiative in partnership with WORLD Channel. Pallavi's feature directorial debut in progress, COACH EMILY, is a 2023 DocLands DocPitch Industry Award recipient, and Athena’s 2022 Works in Progress Pitch Forum participant. Pallavi is also producing CHIRAKU (Dir. Neelu Bhuman) about a young transman’s dreams of becoming a commercial pilot. She is a 2023 Unlock Her Potential Mentee working with Linda Goldstein Knowlton, and a 2022 Center for Asian American Media Fellow with mentorship support from Marjan Safinia. Her award-winning short doc, Escaping Agra, which chronicles a young trans Indian American teen’s experience of being illegally detained in Agra, India after their gender and sexual orientation are discovered, has screened in festivals across the world, and her work has been supported by The Puffin Foundation, Eddie Bauer, Studio IX Project, Center for Cultural Innovation, and more. Pallavi holds a documentary-focused Master in Journalism from UC Berkeley and a BA in Creative Writing from UC Santa Cruz. In her spare time, she climbs rocks with her kids and supports incarcerated pregnant people as a trained doula.
What You Will Hear:
- Pallavi’s background
- Getting in to film making
- Feature documentary
- Moving to India
- Films
- Coach Emily
Quotes:
Mentioned
Chandi Films
coachemilyfilm.com
Attention white women! White women unite! Pam Ditto declares all of this, not because white women are smarter, but because they use that historical narrative to not stand up for justice, injustice, and racism. Pam says that the road to success is not the one paved by the white man. She stands up to patriarchy, white people, and white women. She is sick and tired of “white is right” and white women in particular who cannot tolerate the discomfort of change. She is honest, and real and uses her voice to share not only her experience from everything from her dental procedures to her adoption to her feelings on interracial adoption.
What You Will Hear:
- Uplifting marginalized voices on tiktok by passing the mic
- Lessons learned from success
- Indentured servitude vs chattel enslavement
- What white women can learn from Pam
- Privilge, the right to comfort
- Continuing to learn
- Is it peossibe for white people to move from denial through sympathy, past allyship to something that’s more productive in the outcome of where we are?
- Mass shootings
Quotes:
“I think it's interesting that, you know, there's so much privilege around fearing,”
“If you are under threat of losing your security safety support, you never had it. So go make your own community to gather that from. That is real. That won't threaten you every time you step out of line. Because if they're watching to see if you are in line, they're not supporting you.”
“the things that we say we fear are so inconsequential.”
“Guilt becomes a guilty pleasure for white people.”
Mentioned
Tittok @pamstillwontshutup @pamwontshutup @pamwontevershutup
Intagram @
@Crutches_and_spice
Description
Sonia Russell, CEO, and David L Walker Jr, CSO of BlackFullness sit down with JD to discuss Blackfullness. Sonia uses her obsession with technology and her passion for mindfulness to organize and harmonize almost every aspect of her life. She has been a black woman her whole life, a small business owner for nearly 20 years, and an active leader for more than a decade. She received her minister's license from the School of Spiritual Leadership in 2021.
David designs, builds and cultivates successful and productive sales and strategic partnerships to increase awareness, affinity, buy-in, and revenue - all with mindfulness at the core. With over 15 years of experience, David puts the FUNK in cross-functional training and leadership, and he uses his intense desire to serve to intentionally and effectively connect people, places and ideas.
What You Will Hear:
- What it means to be a licensed New Though Minister with a degree from the School of Spiritual Leadership.
- Benefit vs privilege
- Unapologetic optimism
- Blackfullness Individual sovereignty
- Being intentional
- Being a light and reciprocity
Quotes:
"I'm unapologetically optimistic in that I wanna be about what we can
do. I believe in us, I wanna be about that.”
“It’s not pretending that the things that we see are not happening, it is acknowledging that they are happening and knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is something more expanded for all of us to experience collectively and for me to experience individually.”
“Practice makes permanent.”
Mentioned
@theblackfullness
@blackfullness
TikTok
Youtube
LinkTree
Tony, The Ghetto Activist is a self-taught historian that focuses on Black history through an Afrocentric lens. He created his blog roughly three years ago with the primary objective of countering thousands of years of misinformation, degradation, & systemic oppression by any means necessary.
What You Will Hear:
- Tony’s upbringing, influences and his mother’s impact on his life
- How Tony became the Ghetto Activist
- Black Amnesia, Saint Cova
- The Myth, The Bible is not black history
- Thinking black
- Dismantling internalized racism
Quotes:
“We actually don’t know how great we once were.”
“If you're black, you should be thinking black. If you're black and you're not thinking
Black at this late date, well, I'm sorry for you.” - Malcolm X
“We sold ourselves into enslavement. You can't hate the roots of the tree without ending up hating the tree. You can't hate your origin without ending up hating yourself. You can't hate the land, your motherland, the place that you came from, and we can't hate Africa without ending up hating ourselves.” - Malcolm X
Mentioned
St Cova
Anthony Browder
TheGhettoActivist.comCC
Ghetto Sunday School
Timeless Teachings
TikTok @TheGhettoActivist
Instagram @TheGhettoActivist
Twitter @GhettoActivist
Patreon - The Ghetto Activist
Joquina M. Reed is deeply shaped by her lived experience, ancestral wisdom, formal undergraduate and education in Communications. She is the curator behind her own podcasts, AntiBlackness Reader and Divesting from Whiteness. Joquina proudest claim to fame in her life is being a fabulous aunt to 8 nieces and nephews! In addition to being Nanny Kina, she is also a DEI consultant and facilitator, researcher, learning strategist, and community advocate. Kina says, she is constantly looking for opportunities to help others enlarge themselves and step out of the boxes they no longer fit.
What You Will Hear:
- Urgency, white supremacy and black murders by the state
- Reaction vs response
- Anti-racist ethics
- J Reed Consulting inception, motivation and purpose
- Divesting from whiteness
- Risk taking vs bing unsafe
- The fallacy of a safe space for black and brown bodies
- Can we end racism?
Quotes:
“A sense of urgency is the tenant of white supremacy”
“I don't think black people should be watching other black people being murdered. “
“I am the embodiment of knowing what it feels like to not have wellbeing in the workspace of not being safe in the workplace”
“Lived experience matters.“
“If I could be got no matter what, then I might as well live as freely as I possibly can for myself and stop subscribing to their rules and regulations and prescriptions and the white math and all the other white shenanigans that white people create to govern themselves and the rest of the world.”
“Our freedom, until the world systems change, can only be ascertained in ourselves, that's the only place we have it.”
“I'm not sure how we end racism when people still believe in the construct of race.”
Mentioned
Instagram @divestingfromwhiteness
Linktree
Jreedconsultingllc.com
Joquinareed.com
Joquina M. Reed is deeply shaped by her lived experience, ancestral wisdom, formal undergraduate and education in Communications. She is the curator behind her own podcasts, AntiBlackness Reader and Divesting from Whiteness. Joquina proudest claim to fame in her life is being a fabulous aunt to 8 nieces and nephews! In addition to being Nanny Kina, she is also a DEI consultant and facilitator, researcher, learning strategist, and community advocate. Kina says, she is constantly looking for opportunities to help others enlarge themselves and step out of the boxes they no longer fit.
What You Will Hear:
- Humanity and Anna Julia Cooper
- Ancestry
- Immigration and assimilation
- Pet to Threat (Kecia M. Thomas) and Black Excellence
- Collective bargaining power
Quotes:
“The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class-it is the cause of human kind, the very birthright of humanity.” - Anna Julia Cooper
“If there is anyone who should be sitting up there with lobster steak in a grocery cart, it should be the descendants of enslaved people who have never received reparations for building this place for free.”
“I can no longer afford to collude with whiteness and supremacy culture. Because everyone loses in it. “
“That is a product of white supremacy that we don't trust our bargaining power, and that's what white supremacy has enforced us to believe.”
Mentioned
Instagram @divestingfromwhiteness
Linktree
Jreedconsultingllc.com
Joquinareed.com
Glenn Block is a seasoned product leader with 25 years+ of experience in software engineering and product management. He is currently the founder of two companies, one as CEO of ProdSense, where he advises early-stage companies as a Fractional CPO, and the second as CPO of a stealth home coffee roaster startup. Throughout his career, he worked at a number of hi-tech companies including Microsoft, Docusign, Auth owe, and Splunk. Glenn has been a big advocate for the open source and developer community and was a maintainer for several successful open source projects. Glenn is also a big champion and advocate for changing the tech industry and making it more inclusive. He devotes a large amount of this time to dismantling white supremacy and working to mentor and sponsor folks from underrepresented groups. He is also a volunteer coding instructor at CodeNation, helping high schoolers from marginalized backgrounds to enter the tech industry. Glenn is a lifelong learner and recently received his Executive MBA from Seattle University. He lives with his wife in San Francisco, and is just a stone's throw from his daughter, who attends USF. Please join me in welcoming Glenn Block to Change the narrative with JD Fuller.
What You Will Hear:
- Ramadan and what it symbolizes for Glenn
- Deciding to leave corporate America
- Non-Negotiables
- Partners and communication
- New Company Prodsense
- Race and Equity in corporate America
- White supremacy, trigger words and privilege
- Racist vs Anti-Racist
- The reality of making an impact
Quotes:
“Ramadan is a time of learning and discipline.”
“A lot of times all we need is people to plant a seed in our minds. “
“We know that silence is violence and yet it continues. Privilege continues to silence itself in far too many ways.”
“There is no middle way. You're either a racist or you're an anti-racist.” - Ibram X. Kendi
“I started to realize that it's not just about the dealings I have with people, it's the system.
The system is the thing that has to go, and you still have to do those other things, but the change is not gonna happen. You can have these great thoughts of like, oh we'll just learn to be nice with one another, but there's a system in place that's telling you not to do those things, and as long as that system exists, things are not gonna change.”
“Whenever there's an opportunity to point out inequities or just get people to think,.
I'm trying to bring that, and that to me is powerful to be able to do that. “
“White supremacy is not a thing that is just over on the side here and sometimes pops up. It's everywhere. So we need to look at it that way.”
Mentioned
Podcast : Until The Ice Cream Truck
https://www.tiktok.com/@glennblocktok
Hudson
Agneshka Girling
Ibram X. Kendi “How To Be an Anti-Racist”
Elizabeth Leiba “I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace”
Glenn@prodsense.net
Autumn Walker is a Mental Health therapist licensed in Maryland. Her passion is centered around healing anxiety and racial trauma among Black & Brown communities through a God-fident lens. After obtaining her Masters from Johns Hopkins in 2020, she combined her devotions to social justice, faith and mental health awareness to launch The Soul Reasons on social media platforms. The Soul Reasons encourages the Black community to foster a secure sense of self to both heal from and resist a racist sociopolitical system. She continues to expand her message through digital and community platforms to help others find their soul reason admist this destructive social climate.
What You Will Hear:
- Autumn’s personal story and the life changing moment that influence her journey
- Autumn’s awareness of racism, its power and its impact
- Angel Reese
- Rebranding
- Anxiety and racial trauma
- Countertransference. Can therapist from other cultures treating black and brown people?
- Legacy
Quotes:
“I am now finding myself more connected to a call or mission to help black women to feel more secure and free in their own skin and so that they know who they are so no one can tell them otherwise .”
“Trauma, broadly is essentially, is describing any moment of time where we feel an intense level of fear or threat that can pretty much reshape our worldview our perspective.”
“ I think everything is related to capitalism.”
“I really to be change agent and let folks know that there's another way, we don't have to settle for the the status quo. I'm a strong believer in once you know who you are know who you're not.”
Mentioned
Text “Soul” (206)640-0594
Tiktok
Jessica Wilson, is a co-creator of the Amplify Melanated Voices challenge that went viral in 2020. She is a clinical dietitian, consultant and author, whose experiences navigating the dietetic fields as a Black, queer dietitian have been featured on public radio shows and in print media, including the New York Times, Bustle, and Cronkite News. Jessica has worked as a clinical dietitian since 2007 and is acutely aware of how both the public health and medical framing of “healthy eating” and “obesity” has contributed to disordered eating and self-blame. Jessica co-hosted My Black Body Podcast, which changed the conversation about who has eating disorders and how treatment fails so many people. Her book, It’s Always Been Ours; Rewriting the Story of Black Women’s Bodies was published on February 7, 2023, and we can’t wait to talk all about it today on CTN with JD Fuller.
What You Will Hear:
- Who decides what size you are and what is healthy for you?
- Questioning her education
- Integrating therapy and nutrition. Identity development
- White Supremacy, redlining and access
- What we can do to help. Norming
- Veganism and what is truly considered best for individuals
- Individuality in collective cultures
Quotes:
“I really want people to have different perspectives on what it means to be be healthy.”
“It's challenging to have people embrace their culture when it has turned on them.”
“Only eating when you're hungry for physiological needs is the same concept as having sex only for procreation.
“Food is the source of happiness.“
Mentioned
Tiktok
JessicaWilsonMSRD.com
Jessica Wilson, is a co-creator of the Amplify Melanated Voices challenge that went viral in 2020. She is a clinical dietitian, consultant and author, whose experiences navigating the dietetic fields as a Black, queer dietitian have been featured on public radio shows and in print media, including the New York Times, Bustle, and Cronkite News. Jessica has worked as a clinical dietitian since 2007 and is acutely aware of how both the public health and medical framing of “healthy eating” and “obesity” has contributed to disordered eating and self-blame. Jessica co-hosted My Black Body Podcast, which changed the conversation about who has eating disorders and how treatment fails so many people. Her book, It’s Always Been Ours; Rewriting the Story of Black Women’s Bodies was published on February 7, 2023, and we can’t wait to talk all about it today on CTN with JD Fuller.
What You Will Hear:
- Jessica’s background and what helped develop her self image
- Dietetics and therapy
- Neurodivergence
- Regionality and intersectionality
- Passion and purpose behind her book
- Plastic surgery and black women’s bodies
- The term obese
- Racism
Quotes:
.”My blackness was by far my most salient identity in a lot of the work that I was doing,”
“Black women's body stories have been written by whiteness.”
“You're telling us from a very young age that we need to be worried about our eminent demise. But that's not because of me, it's because of medical racism. It's about white supremacy, it's about trauma and toxic stress.”
Mentioned
Tiktok
JessicaWilsonMSRD.com
JD sits down with Cassandra Geter to talk about organic health and wellness. With the knowledge that health and wellness are reflective of our lifestyles Cassandra founded Have Faith and Live Well with Chasadah LLC to provide health and wellness coaching services to women with chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Cassandra uses a non-judgmental approach with a healing presence to guide others to reach their goals.
What You Will Hear:
- Cassandra’s attraction to chemistry
- Chemistry and wellness
- Pharmaceutical industry
- The effects of stress on health
- Chronic illnesses and diet
- Faith and nutrition
- Smart goals
- Budgeting for healthy eating
- Portion control
- Teaching kids about healthy eating
Quotes:
“The pharmaceutical industry is a billion-dollar industry. It doesn't make people well, it's only good for keeping people sick.”
“Let your life be your testimony.”
“Your goals have to be time manageable and attainable and sensible.”
Mentioned
Havefaithandlivewell.com
Facebook Organically Reversing Chronic Illnesses
Instagram Cassandra1974
Marvin Toliver is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, born and raised in East Oakland California. Marvin currently resides in Philadelphia Pennsylvania working as a therapist with the Radical Therapy Center. He’s also a co-founder of the mental health collective Melanated Social Work. Marvin is a queer Bi-sexual Black creator, writer, consultant, public speaker, mentor, wedding officiant, and radical educator. He encourages others to see the power within themselves and use their voices to fight for justice. Marvin’s work will be complete when white supremacy is dismantled and ALL Black people are liberated.
What You Will Hear:
- Social media
- Reflecting
- Imposter syndrome vs internalized racism
- Political aspects of being a therapist
- Choosing the correct therapist for you
- Reparations
- Music Therapy Mondays and Black Social Work Week
- TEDx Talk
Quotes:
“Therapy is not neutral”
“Each of our moral compasses are, are gonna be shaped by our environment, by our family, by our education, by our location, and by our politics.”
“I always encourage folks who are seeking therapists to ask all of the questions. Ask who you voted for in that 2020 election? Ask what you think about the Black Lives Matter movement? What you think about Palestine? All of those things are gonna inform me as a client if we're aligned and if we're not aligned, then I don't wanna work with you.”
“My ancestors already paid for this school debt.”
“To demand money from black folks, from indigenous folks for anything really, for literally anything I personally think it's criminal. The wealth, the power, influence that so many white folks have was because of enslaved Africans.”
Mentioned
LinkTree
MarvinToliver.com
Marvin Toliver is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), born and raised in East Oakland, CA. Marvin currently resides in Philadelphia, PA, and works as a therapist with the Radical Therapy Center. He’s also a co-founder of the mental health collective Melanated Social Work. Marvin is a queer (Bi-sexual) Black creator, writer, consultant, public speaker, mentor, wedding officiant, and radical educator. He encourages others to see the power within themselves and use their voices to fight for justice. Marvin’s work will be complete when white supremacy is dismantled and ALL Black people are liberated.
Samantha Hawkins is a public speaker and storyteller. She writes freelance in her spare time and her essays have appeared in many print and online publications, including Madame Noire, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and two Chicken Soup for the Soul collections. Her debut children's picture book, "My Momma Marches," is forthcoming through Lantana Publishing in March 2023.
What You Will Hear:
- Samantha’s childhood
- Homeschooling and misconceptions
- When and why Samantha starter writing
- My Momma Marches
- Priorities to keep changing the narrative
Quotes:
“You can't stop the power of the pen. The pen is still mighty, and that I will continue to write my heart out and lay it bare in verse.”
Mentioned
My Momma Marches
@forevertellingtales
LaNysha T. Adams (@edlinguist) is an award-winning education consultant and speaker focused on teaching students to put their knowledge of self at the center of all learning. With 20 years of experience in education at school, district, and state levels, Dr. Adams holds a Ph.D. and is a certified coach on a mission to revolutionize how people learn. She is the author of the award-winning, #1 best-selling book on Amazon, Me Power.
Description
LaNysha T. Adams (@edlinguist) is an award-winning education consultant and speaker focused on teaching students to put their knowledge of self at the center of all learning. With 20 years of experience in education at school, district, and state levels, Dr. Adams holds a Ph.D. and is a certified coach on a mission to revolutionize how people learn. She is the author of the award-winning, #1 best-selling book on Amazon, Me Power.
What You Will Hear:
- Where and when LaNysha knew she was headed in the direction of education as a career
- LaNysha’s mom and early influences
- Allocation of resources for education and making a change in community
- The notion of power and challenging the systems
- Edlinguist.com
- Leaning into listening and problem solving
- Federal contracts
- Interactive blog and Me Power
- Empowering people to find their own power
Quotes:
“So much of what’s wrong with education has to do with the allocation of resources and how the money that is allocated for said resources to improve education goes to small businesses and big businesses.”
“I may not actually have the answer because I don’t know the genesis of the problem.”
“Everything you need for making change in your life, you have within you.”
“Even when the world is telling you, you can’t, and there is a no, if that is so important to you and you want to go after it, do it.”
Mentioned
LaNysha.com
@edlinguist Instagram twitter clubhouse
Edlinguist.com
It’s All About (Our) Me Power
Sarah DeArmond is 36 and is the CEO of the nonprofit, Voiceless Behind Bars™️ that raises money through tax-deductible donations to help pay for the legal fees for those who have been wrongfully convicted. She also uses her nonprofit as a safe space for inmates to contact her about the cruel treatment they’re facing daily in the prison system. Sarah hopes that her nonprofit can help bring more awareness to the inhumane treatment that prisoners are subjected to. Prior to running her nonprofit, Sarah spent her early twenties acting in a few indie films. She spent the rest of her twenties reviewing movies and doing interviews for a Christian film site before moving on to her own blog which she ran until her early thirties. Sarah lives in Alabama with her husband, Sean, who is a librarian and is also on the board of her nonprofit. They’ve been married for 14 years and have a dachshund, Baxter.
What You Will Hear:
- What people should know about Sara DeArmond
- Learning about wrongful convictions
- Being diagnosed with Neurodivergence
- How Sarah became so passionate about prison advocacy
- Wrongful conviction statistics
- Timothy McGruder wrongful conviction
- Sheron Edwards wrongful conviction
- Alabama’s prison system
- Voiceless Behind Bars
- White women’s obsession with black women. Bethany Frankel
- Death penalty and wrongful executions. Nathaniel Woods
Quotes:
“This whole prison system, the justice system, it needs to be abolished completely and then we need to rebuild it.”
“People do not understand the difference between rehabilitation and punishment.”
“Wrongful convictions, they’re more common than people realize.”
“It’s more expensive for someone to be executed than being in prison for life.”
Mentioned
Voices Behind Bars
TikTok Instagram
Zach Gray is more than simply a white guy from Michigan! He is very intentional about empowering individuals and families to reach their fullest potential. In Zach's Psychology Today profile he says, "our stories and life experiences are valuable and important; they inform the way we navigate and see the world". Zach believes it is possible to find healing and create change in one's life in a way that helps you find the best quality of life." Zach has lived through it and come out on the other side. I believe that we are worth all of the hard work to get to where we want to be. His clinical interests include trauma, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, interpersonal dynamics, substance use needs, relationship issues, anger management, self-exploration, and identity development. He is intentional about creating a safe and accepting space for individuals of all different backgrounds and walks of life. Cultural competency is important to him and it is something he consistently learns about both through education and the stories from individuals within his community. He values and respects everyones life experiences.
What You Will Hear:
- Zach’s background and how he got into social work
- Social media
- Traumatic brain injury
- Adopting and raising black and brown children
- Therapy
- Centering black voices
- Mixed race family
Quotes:
“We are here for a very short amount of time and the issues of white supremacy and racism Justice, they're life or death And I need as a white person other white people to understand that we can't just have gentle calm conversations about things that are taking people's lives”
“the one thing that has given me longevity is being authentic and standing in my truth.”
Mentioned
Tiktok
JD is joined by certified public accountant Holly Reid to talk about financial education and the importance of imparting it early to our youth. Holly is an experienced finance professional who loves her career and believes we all have knowledge, experiences and a purpose to add value, contribute to society and enrich the lives of others. As a personal finance advocate, Holly is dedicated to helping adults and the next generation manage their finances as responsible stewards. Growing up in a household where, “we may have been poor in material possessions, but we were rich in love, family values, and an unwavering work ethic,” she speaks on how the lack exposed the economic disparities and piqued her interest to understand the economic landscape and specifically money management. In 2012, Holly created The Master Playbook to break the cycle of paycheck to paycheck living and to help adults and the next generation create a financial legacy worth leaving. She has educated thousands of people through her book, speaking engagements, and coaching sessions using sound financial principles, practical tips and her personal experiences.
What You Will Hear:
- Holly’s background
- Biggest and earliest lessons learned about finances
- Knowledge vs. application
- Spending consciously and raising awareness
- Advertising, consumerism and youth
- History: Black Wall Street, Tulsa Oklahoma, Birmingham
- Using credit responsibly
- The Master Playbook and parenting today
- Celebrities and financial education
Quotes:
“One thing about personal finances is it’s very personal, what’s good for you, what process or app or thing that may work for you may not work for me and my situation, personality or what makes me feel safe or secure or stabilized.”
“Our society does not teach us to make our money work for us, it teaches us to spend.”
“Credit is one of the biggest things that tears us down.”
“The bible has the greatest number of scripture that speaks to money than any other topic.”
“If you look at the biggest lessons in my life it’s where I didn't get something I wanted or I failed at something I attempted and those are the biggest life lessons.”
Mentioned
Money Camps for Kids
The Master Playbook
@themasterplaybook Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn
JD and Bobby Morgan continue their conversation about the current state of education and his efforts and goals to improve it. Bobby is a principal, writer, speaker, and consultant who works with other educators to promote equity and culturally responsive teaching practices. With over a decade in education, primarily in under-resourced populations, Bobby is passionate about cultivating brilliance in Black and Brown communities. Through coaching, workshops, and meaningful professional development, Bobby desires to change the educational landscape, ensuring pathways of success for students. In addition to his work within academic institutions, Bobby works as an educational advocate partnering to fight for equitable policies and legislative priorities for all students. Today we welcome Bobby Morgan with Liberation Lab to change the narrative with JD Fuller.
What You Will Hear:
- Teacher shortage and challenges
- Emotional and mental health in education.
- Liberation Lab
- School Districts being culturally responsive and providing means of accountability
- Excellence in community
- Who would you be without oppression?
Quotes:
“We honestly don’t pay teachers enough.”
“Educators are realizing that the same skills that they have, In the classroom can merit so much more outside of it.”
“What has rocked education to its core is the need for us to be prioritizing mental health and the ways in which we have not done that. And the ways we have not done that in a way that is even culturally responsive.”
“We should be able to inspect what we expect.”
“We've been trained as a culture to be afraid of the repercussions, and so there is power in knowing how to navigate those potential repercussions.”
“I'm not gonna leave you outside of the thing you enjoy. You're gonna be an active participant in your liberation.”
Mentioned
My Liberation Lab
info@myliberationlab.com
@liberation.lab Instagram TikTok
@liberationlab Facebook LinkedIn
Bobby Morgan is a principal, writer, speaker, and consultant who works with other educators to promote equity and culturally responsive teaching practices. With over a decade in education, primarily in under-resourced populations, Bobby is passionate about cultivating brilliance in Black and Brown communities. Through coaching, workshops, and meaningful professional development, Bobby desires to change the educational landscape, ensuring pathways of success for students. In addition to his work within academic institutions, Bobby works as an educational advocate partnering to fight for equitable policies and legislative priorities for all students. Today we welcome Bobby Morgan with Liberation Lab to change the narrative with JD Fuller.
What You Will Hear:
- Bobby’s journey
- What is it like to be Bobby
- Observing the benefits of privilege
- Raising children
- Equity, Belonging and action
- History and its accuracy
- Teaching teachers, education and special education
- Equity in education and teaching “trouble makers”
Quotes:
“Part of the reason I'm so passionate about the things that I am is because I know what it's like to live in a world where you're not necessarily wanted, you’re excluded and you're pushed aside.”
“If we're really gonna talk about equity beyond black boxes and anti-racist statements on your website, show me where the money is going. Show me that you're putting your finances behind the things that you say you believe.”
“For somebody of African descent in this country, you are always as good as what you could produce. Always as good as how you can help the bottom line.”
Mentioned
Teach Like a Champion
J. Denise Fuller (she, her, hers) is an African American LCSW who has over 25 years of experience as a mental health clinician, educator, writer, and consultant. With a Masters of Social Work from Smith College JD has held positions as an Adjunct Professor as well as a Clinical and Area Director for outpatient mental health programs. JD is an activist and “truth teller”. As an advocate for equity and inclusion she constantly speaks out against inequality. Focusing through a mental health lens, JD is a widely sought after clinician, providing education, training and consultation on ways to navigate the difficult conversations related to systemic and internalized racism, white privilege, and the tenets of oppression. She is esteemed for her insight, empathy, authenticity, unique perceptive, and ability to empower, while providing education. JD is a firm believer that one’s truth lives in the body and the lived experience guides the process of how we integrate new information.
The youngest of nine children, JD experienced how myopic teaching distorted her understanding of American history. This realization coupled with her thesis, The Racial Identity Development of the African American Female, catalyzed a lifetime of experiential learning and commitment to teaching about and advocating for others. JD works within the Black and White continuum to facilitate the learning process in the safe space she creates in order to explore the systems that have oppressed our learning. Solution-focused in guiding change, her clinical work has been girded by her dedication to help others discover their authentic selves. JD continues to speak out wherever she sees social inequity today to Change The Narrative.
What You Will Hear:
- Early life and transition into a career in mental health
- Education and career trajectory
- Graduate thesis “The Racial Identity Development of the African American Female.”
- First experience of racism and becoming obsessed with what it means to be black
- Recognizing legacy and lineage
- Managing anger and making it useful/productive
- Learning the truth about all of American History
- Challenges faced, white supremacy, young activism
- Empowering youth, accessibility and messaging
- Creating economic soundness
- What drives and motivates JD. Why therapy?
- How do therapists self care
- Self discovery, femininity, sexuality, black gay and trans community and society
- Podcast experience and lessons. Decolonization of mental health
- Activism 30 years ago vs today
Quotes:
“I didn’t feel seen, kids act out what they don’t have the language for…..I was a professional acter outer.”
“I was resentful for not being taught the truth.”
“Managing the anger and turning it into something useful was the most challenging.”
“Resilient only means that you can keep knocking me down and all I’m gonna do is bouncing back.”
“To be human is not to be strong it’s just to be aware of all the plethora of feelings that we are left to feel throughout our lifetime.”
“White supremacy is a constant, constant barrier to our emotional and mental health.”
“As we expand the vision for the youth there are opportunities to see different pathways.”
At just a young age, Williams knew she wanted an impactful life filled with enriching and powering others’ lives. She had a passion for working with underserved, underrepresented, underprivileged communities, which led her to social work. Keyonia reflects on past advocacy experiences working in the foster care system. Currently, she is specializing in culturally specific counseling, coaching, consulting for individuals, groups and organizations.
What You Will Hear:
1:32Keyonia’s cultural identity development with black pride
3:15 Growing up in an inner city as a significant catalyst for change
4:17 Inspiration to become a teacher of influence
5:27 Escaping inner cities to be faced with gentrification
6:08 Sacrificing a piece of black cultural to gentrification
7:34 Lack of resources to further strengthen the foster care system
11:37Separating prejudice and racism from therapy
14:15 The BBS and the system’s need to take responsibility for licensure
15:13 The interconnectedness of your wellbeing and your profession
16:18 Teaching through an Afrocentric Theory Perspective
17:31 Williams current career path with cultural specific counseling
17:43 Black people receiving therapy with only Black Clinicians
21:04 Having education as access not as a privilege
23:09 Healing Black Souls program and efforts to destigmatizing/decolonizing
mental health and PTSD
28:04 Intersectionality of Religion, Spirituality and Mental Health
35:27Parenting Classes from the Black perspective
Quotes:
“The choices we have to make come with a selling out factor.”
“ There is no good that comes from removing children from their home.”
“To think that one can practice therapy and separate who you are as an individual, your belief systems and your values is absolutely ridiculous.”
“If we are not checking in with our values and our belief systems, and how that’s showing up for us and our professional life, then we’re being problematic.”
“I am my community. My community is me.”
“As a black person seeking therapy from another black person, there’s only one thing I can do. I can show up and be my full self.”
“You cannot be Black in America and not have PTSD.”
“There is religion/religiosity, which takes on forms of a cult-like experience. There is spirituality, which can be individual, but also community, and then there’s mental health, which looks many different ways in collective cultures.”
“Black people were raised to understand, take care of, and be careful of whiteness.”
“Black babies deserve to grow up in homes that love and value them because they are not going to get that in this society.”
Mentioned
Instagram: @healing_black_souls_consulting
Healingblacksouls.org
Keyonia@healingblacksouls.org
Afrocentric Theory
JD sits down Dr.Han Ren to talk about generational trauma, decolonizing mental health and her brilliant approach to helping people live liberated and intentional lives. Dr. Han Ren is a licensed psychologist and licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP) practicing in Austin, Texas specializing in anxiety, perfectionism, high achievers, and children of immigrants. Although her degree specialty and background were originally with children, she has experience working with individuals across the lifespan, both individually and as part of family therapy or parent consultation. Currently Dr. Han Ren mostly works with high achieving young adults. In addition to psychotherapy she provides psychoeducational and psychological assessments. Dr. Ren has also been an adjunct professor at the University of Texas in their Special Education and Human Development and Family Sciences departments. In her former life, she was a member of Teach For America and worked as a special educator for preschoolers. Outside of the therapy chair, you can usually find her trying to keep up with her two young kids or spinning on her Peloton.
What You Will Hear:
- Dr. Han Ren journey into mental health
- How early attachment disruptions have affected Dr. Ren’s relationships and parenting
- Immigration trauma and long term effects through generations
- Decolonizing mental health
- White supremacy and white fragility
- Translating science and theory into stackable applications for liberated and intentional lives.
- Transforming shame into guilt and religiosity
- Thoughts vs feelings
- Global majority, people of color, BIPOC
- Final Thoughts: Decolonizing family traditions
Quotes:
“There is so much more ease when we can trust each other and ourselves.”
“It’s really, really hard when people who are used to, historically, being centered are de-centered, even if they’re not truly being de-centered.”
“If you can separate yourself from whiteness as an identity marker, you’re so much more than your whiteness.”
“People are more offended by being called a racist than they are about racism.”
“There is power in collective cohesion and in working together.”
Mentioned
Dr.HanRen.com
Instagram @dr.hanren
TikTok
Pivotpsychologyatx.com
TedX
Di Barbadillo is a community organizer who works alongside Black Lives Matter LA, the Check the Sheriff Coalition, and the Philippines-US Solidarity Organization (PUSO SoCal). In addition, Di is an active Legal Observer and Co-President of the Executive Board for the National Lawyers Guild, Los Angeles. Di was born and raised in Los Angeles and is second-generation Filipina-American. She went to college at UCLA and law school at The University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. In her free time, she likes to organize pop-up markets for local small businesses owned by people of color. She is a power house and we are so happy to have her on CTN with JD today
What You Will Hear:
- Introduction
- How Di’s education facilitated her activism
- Di’s parent immigration experiences
- Privilege vs opportunity
- Second generation defined
- Cultural student groups in college
- Tension and change between the black and asian communities
- White supremacy and proximity to whiteness
- Unifying, bonding and solidarity across cultures
- The phrase “Asian Hate” and why we should stop using it
- Building collective power
- Conversation and facing internal conflict
- LAPD
- Mental health
Quotes:
“When you realize how much you didn't learn, you are kinda wondering how much of the history you were taught was revisionist, and you realized it was probably all of it.”
“Capitalism is very much like white supremacists”
“I look at Gen Z and I see a lot more open-mindedness. I see a lot more young people fighting for ethnic studies and I think if we can make people understand that we're trying to solidify a bond that used to be there and that was broken apart at some point, we're not just building something new.”
“We are not free until black people are free.”
“I takes conflict, cooperation, and solidarity moving together in different spaces.”
“Conflict is necessary. And conflict doesn't have to be a knock down, drag out, we're falling out, end all, be all like discussion.”
Mentioned
@Deeeeezzyyy
linktr.ee
Rescission Act
JD sits down with Andre White Jr. to discuss history and the untold layers of it. Andre is 27 years old with roots in Cleveland, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a voiceover actor, marketer, content creator, anti-racist, and host of the podcast Redacted History. Andre is active on social media using his personal experiences, creativity, and extensive knowledge of history to engage his audience under the handle @Blackkout.. He's a wealth of knowledge and creativity.
What You Will Hear:
- The inner city in Cleveland, OH and Charlotte, NC
- Breaking into the voice over and audio industry
- Redacted History Podcast
- Purpose
- Social media and being your authentic self
- Final thoughts
Quotes:
“I would love to be afforded the opportunity someway, somehow, to go back and give back to all the black kids in Cleveland one day.”
“No one really cares about the inner city.”
“All it takes is one person to see who you are, potential, what you have to bring to the table.”
“The things that I preach about the podcast the most is that I can really be myself, for real.”
“Just encouraging people to take what you think you know, and you don’t know, and find the surface and then peel back the layers. And what you think you’re peeling back, you’re wrong because there's more to peel back and there’s more to understand, why and how things are happening around us.”
Mentioned
Redacted History Podcast Apple Spotify Youtube Instagram
@Blackkout___ tiktok Instagram
Linktr.ee
If you enjoyed this episode of Change The Narrative with JD Fuller Podcast, make sure to subscribe and drop us a five-star review.
Dara Starr Tucker is an American singer, songwriter, social commentator and satirist. She draws from the 1960’s and 1970’s, an era that holds special significance to her musical journey.Tucker has released four studio albums: All Right Now, Soul Said Yes, The Sun Season, and Oklahoma Rain, as well as a limited-release, live album, Dara Tucker Live in 2013. Vocalist and songwriter Dara is establishing herself as one of the premiere voices in contemporary music. She is poised to establish herself as one of the fresh, contemporary voices that will help to seamlessly move one of music’s greatest traditions into the 21st century. Tucker’s new album brings to life a collection of songs that reaffirm her belief in our shared humanity. Dara is here to tell us about her journey, her passion and her plan for the future.
What You Will Hear:
- Growing up in Tulsa Oklahoma in a home of ministry
- Standout factor growing up as the middle child (number 3 of 7)
- Establishing herself and standing out in her field and vocation
- Guided by the diversity of her narrative.
- How Dara’s identity was impacted by constantly moving from extreme environments, culture shock and raised under higher standards
- Greatest fall and greatest comeback
- Satire, comedy, social commentary and social media
- Eric Monte activism, Go Fund Me fundraiser
- Deflection doll
- Majority culture. Cultural appropriation vs cultural appreciation
Quotes:
“Being black in America is very complex.”
“I do feel like I was better prepared for the realities of what the world is about from an early age”
“What is culture in the United States? At least it's not really something that's understood well and certainly not understood from the standpoint of black Americans possessing, having a sense of culture that is uniquely ours where we're seen as just a subset of American culture.”
Mentioned
Dr. Demento
Eric Monte
Norman Leer
Music
Spotify
Apple Music
I’m All Over The Place Podcast
Apple Podcast
Spotify
@darastarrtucker
TikTok
Youtube
@daratuckerb
Linktr.ee
JD continues her conversation with Ernest Crimm III, the man who says Black History saved his life and wrote a book about it. He is a self-proclaimed Black History Advocate who is a native of the south side of Chicago and a product of the late 80's. Mr. Crimm is a University of Illinois Urbana Champaign alumni who advocates for Black History, equity and justice as a speaker, cultural consultant, socio political commentator, cast member on the PBS documentary ‘Divided We Fall’, author of the Amazon best-seller, Black History Saved My Life, former City Council Candidate and high school social science instructor. Mr. Ernest Crimm the third is a “must follow” on social media and we am so excited to share this space with him today,
What You Will Hear:
- The emotional impact of being the victim of a racially motivated attack
- Unpacking racial trauma
- The importance of knowing who you are and the essence of your identity
- The Little Mermaid
- Advice for the white community who wants to understand
- The illusion of allyship
- Colin Kapernick
Quotes:
“The education system is a corporate entity.”
“Traditional therapy is not for everyone but it is an important opportunity to develop awareness and insight.”
“If you don’t know who you are anyone can name you.” - African Proverb
“In this realm nothing could exist without our existence. It all comes from the motherland.”
“When a group of people doesn't truly have a history that they're proud of they will put more into mythology than what actually happened."
"Black folks who felt comfortable expressing their anger, it's justified anger. You need to hear it and stop following the people that are fed to you through mainstream media.”
“For a lot of folks, racism or being called racist, they've equated that with us being called the N word.”
“There's no allyship in unlearning, there's only abolition and there is only taking charge of...
The man who says Black History Saved My Life and wrote a book about it is known as Mr. Ernest Crim III. He is a self-proclaimed Black History Advocate who is a native of the southside of Chicago and a product of the late 80's. Mr. Crim is a University of Illinois Urbana Champaign alumni who advocates for Black History, equity and justice as a speaker, cultural consultant, socio political commentator, cast member on the PBS documentary ‘Divided We Fall’, author of the Amazon best-seller, Black History Saved My Life, former City Council Candidate and high school social science instructor. Mr. Ernest Crim the third is a “must follow” on social media and we am so excited to share this space with him today,
What You Will Hear:
- Being raised in Chicago and perceptions
- Transition into the classroom and why Ernest left the school environment altogether.
- Transformative experience moving away for college
- Teaching and living what he talked about
- Positive reinforcement and mindset
- Ernest’s book Black History Saved My Life
- Parents. Creating environments outside of school to nurture blackness
- Hate crime that went viral
- Most racist experiences
- Internalized oppression
Quotes:
“They put us in those situations when we moved here as we left the south in search of safety and economic prosperity and it just forced us to make a way outta no way and we're still doing that now, despite all the negative press and publicity we get.”
“I took a black history course. And I think those two courses kind of encapsulate what I do now. I love journalism, I love writing, I love telling stories, and I love our history.”
“That's why there's violence and there's a lot of gang issues. It's because we are born into the situation and before we can even figure out what happens, the trauma keeps hitting us, so we're just trying to survive.”
“It was not about loving the profession, it was about loving our people.”
“Teaching is the only job where you can get in front of kids every single date and they have to be there.”
“When you say history saved your life, what it means is you found something in the past that gave you motivation to do great things moving forward.”
“We didn't have everything materially, but we were wealthy in terms of the love”
“My mom had to decide if she wanted me to go to a school that lacked resources that was all black or be bussed to a school that was all white and possibly deal with racial trauma.”
Mentioned
Instagram @ErnestCrimIII
Tik Tok @ErnestCrimIII
ErnestCrim.com
Mae Jemison
Quincy Jones
The man who says Black History Saved My Life and wrote a book about it is known as Mr. Ernest Crim III. He is a self-proclaimed Black History Advocate who is a native of the southside of Chicago and a product of the late 80's. Mr. Crim is a University of Illinois Urbana Champaign alumni who advocates for Black History, equity and justice as a speaker, cultural consultant, socio political commentator, cast member on the PBS documentary ‘Divided We Fall’, author of the Amazon best-seller, Black History Saved My Life, former City Council Candidate and high school social science instructor. Mr. Ernest Crim the third is a “must follow” on social media and we am so excited to share this space with him today,
What You Will Hear:
- Being raised in Chicago and perceptions
- Transition into the classroom and why Ernest left the school environment altogether.
- Transformative experience moving away for college
- Teaching and living what he talked about
- Positive reinforcement and mindset
- Ernest’s book Black History Saved My Life
- Parents. Creating environments outside of school to nurture blackness
- Hate crime that went viral
- Most racist experiences
- Internalized oppression
Quotes:
“They put us in those situations when we moved here as we left the south in search of safety and economic prosperity and it just forced us to make a way outta no way and we're still doing that now, despite all the negative press and publicity we get.”
“I took a black history course. And I think those two courses kind of encapsulate what I do now. I love journalism, I love writing, I love telling stories, and I love our history.”
“That's why there's violence and there's a lot of gang issues. It's because we are born into the situation and before we can even figure out what happens, the trauma keeps hitting us, so we're just trying to survive.”
“It was not about loving the profession, it was about loving our people.”
“Teaching is the only job where you can get in front of kids every single date and they have to be there.”
“When you say history saved your life, what it means is you found something in the past that gave you motivation to do great things moving forward.”
“We didn't have everything materially, but we were wealthy in terms of the love”
“My mom had to decide if she wanted me to go to a school that lacked resources that was all black or be bussed to a school that was all white and possibly deal with racial trauma.”
Mentioned
Instagram @ErnestCrimIII
Tik Tok @ErnestCrimIII
ErnestCrim.com
Mae Jemison
Quincy Jones
JD continues the conversation with scholar, author, historian, corporate consultant and truth seeker John Graham to talk about the disparities in education and corporate America as it pertains to the black experience. John Graham is an author of a book that speaks for those who've been without a voice throughout their professional career. Plantation Theory: The Black Professional’s Struggle Between Freedom & Security, showcases the realities that countless black corporate professionals face despite best efforts to prove their worthiness of opportunity. As a content marketer John has found his purpose is unlocking the hidden potential of authenticity and ensuring that the right message finds the right audience at the right time on the right platform. John self identifies as he/him, black man, husband, father, spiritualist, creative, and fraternal brother. What You Will Hear: Plantation Theory: The Black Professional Struggle Between Freedom and Security. Black folks questioning the operating system in which we were programmed Sacrificing identity for perceived success Questioning the premises that we’ve been told/sold The cost of excellence amongst mediocrity Changing the language that feeds the oppression Equity vs. equality
Quotes: “When do we reevaluate our relationship with work and define who are the beneficiaries of our excellence and if it's not us, why do we continue to push this rock uphill to make white spaces safer rather than making more black spaces?” “I don’t believe there is a seat at the table we have to create our own table and our own seats.” “There’s a cost for the climb, and we’re not told about that cost.” “When you remember that we were brought to this country to work harder than any human being has worked on earth for no money, no recognition and no control of your destiny or the outcome and outputs of your labor. Well, then you start to onnect these dots over time and you recognize well the model hasn't really changed.” “We've been afforded access, but it's not to the top.”. “Excellence demands that you are twice as good for half the recognition and a third of the.pay and that only leads to shortened lifespan, stress, mental health issues, heart issues, cholesterol, you name it.” “Equity accounts for disparity between starting places and equality just gives you same treatment.” Mentioned https://plantationtheory.com/ (PlantationTheory.com) https://twitter.com/instagraham1906?lang=en (Twitter) @instagraham1906 https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngrahamcreative/ (LinkedIn) @johngrahamcreative
JD continues the conversation with scholar, author, historian, corporate consultant and truth seeker John Graham to talk about the disparities in education and corporate America as it pertains to the black experience. John Graham is an author of a book that speaks for those who've been without a voice throughout their professional career. Plantation Theory: The Black Professional’s Struggle Between Freedom & Security, showcases the realities that countless black corporate professionals face despite best efforts to prove their worthiness of opportunity. As a content marketer John has found his purpose is unlocking the hidden potential of authenticity and ensuring that the right message finds the right audience at the right time on the right platform. John self identifies as he/him, black man, husband, father, spiritualist, creative, and fraternal brother. What You Will Hear: Plantation Theory: The Black Professional Struggle Between Freedom and Security. Black folks questioning the operating system in which we were programmed Sacrificing identity for perceived success Questioning the premises that we’ve been told/sold The cost of excellence amongst mediocrity Changing the language that feeds the oppression Equity vs. equality
Quotes: “When do we reevaluate our relationship with work and define who are the beneficiaries of our excellence and if it's not us, why do we continue to push this rock uphill to make white spaces safer rather than making more black spaces?” “I don’t believe there is a seat at the table we have to create our own table and our own seats.” “There’s a cost for the climb, and we’re not told about that cost.” “When you remember that we were brought to this country to work harder than any human being has worked on earth for no money, no recognition and no control of your destiny or the outcome and outputs of your labor. Well, then you start to onnect these dots over time and you recognize well the model hasn't really changed.” “We've been afforded access, but it's not to the top.”. “Excellence demands that you are twice as good for half the recognition and a third of the.pay and that only leads to shortened lifespan, stress, mental health issues, heart issues, cholesterol, you name it.” “Equity accounts for disparity between starting places and equality just gives you same treatment.” Mentioned https://plantationtheory.com/ (PlantationTheory.com) https://twitter.com/instagraham1906?lang=en (Twitter) @instagraham1906 https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngrahamcreative/ (LinkedIn) @johngrahamcreative
John Graham is an author that has Written a book to speak for those who've been without a voice throughout their professional career. Plantation Theory, The Black Professional’s Struggle Between Freedom & Security, showcases the realities that countless Black corporate professionals face despite best efforts to prove their worthiness of opportunity. As a content marketer John has found his purpose is unlocking the hidden potential of authenticity and ensuring that the right message, finds the right audience, at the right time, on the right platform. John self identifies as He. Him, black man, husband, father, spiritualist, creative, and fraternal brother. What You Will Hear: Growing up in white spaces in many different places. HBCUs Culturally defining measures White privilege, power dominance and fragility Education vs. learning Discovering his why The design, concept and construct of race Helping companies achieve substantial and sustainable change
Quotes: “An HBCU can not only give you that grounding of culture and the relief of not having to don the mask in all aspects and all times of day, but also you're in an environment where your excellence is an expectation and your failures aren't a reflection on your entire race. So you truly get to be an individual and meritocracy might actually have application in your daily lived experience.” “Education is simply an indoctrination method done in civil societies to bring the youth into adulthood under certain world views, beliefs, practices, ideologies and so forth so as to have conformity across the masses.” “If you attend a predominantly white institution as a black student and you graduate and you feel like I've been programmed to see the world through the eyes of a cis-gendered able-bodied white man, well that's the intent so that the world beliefs, ideals, views, and status quo can now be replicated or propagated.” “Your Why should evolve.” “In the American construct, which is a peculiar institution unto itself, race is at the forefront. It defines who you are before you even open your mouth.” “Race as a concept, and a construct was designed specifically to easily identify the subclass of this country. “ “If you shine a light on transgressions and how those transgressions manifest today, somebody might have to be accountable and accountability isn't aligned with the power dominant structure.” “When you step out of homogeneous environments and you go to places where you're the other, well, now you'll start to understand what whiteness is and is not, but most people don't actively seek out discomfort.” Mentioned https://plantationtheory.com/ (PlantationTheory.com) https://twitter.com/instagraham1906?lang=en (Twitter) @instagraham1906 https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngrahamcreative/ (LinkedIn) @johngrahamcreative
Garrison Hayes is a Content Strategist,Social Media Marketer, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant and a Brand Consultant. He is currently DEI at Greenhouse Software and he helps Companies Amplify Diverse Voices through Powerful Video Content. He was also a Mogul Top 100 DEI Leader of 2021. Garrison is a Content Creator serving “thumb-stopping educational content to a 260,000+ follower community. He is a history devotee and a natural storyteller. What You Will Hear: Influencer vs content creator Life changes due to Covid American history Objectifying whiteness and its social construct NRA evolution and white supremacy Politics, consrvative, liberals and great replacement theory True census: latinos operating as white people The history of tipping Whitewashing of country music Inclusive excellence
Quotes: “Our influence matters and the ways in which we use our influence is really important.” “Our past informs the present moment. It's all bearing down on the very present moment and until we are able to really look back and reckon with and understand the past, we will not understand where we are now and we certainly won't understand where we're going. And so in unearthing those untold stories I am simply trying to help us understand where we are and how we got here so that we can chart a better way.” “White people unfortunately, are socialized to rarely examine their own racial identity.” “When people buy into something like the NRA they're a part of it and they can't bring themselves to evolve and realize, wow, this doesn't fit my ideology anymore.” “You can think of a ton of people who really operate in this world as white people live with white privileges in many ways, vote white vote with the white majority, right and yet when we look at the census data, somehow they're excluded from this group”. “Basically everything that is problematicis problematic in society has racist roots in America.” “the history of country music is actually the history of like racial congruence, like black and white people coming together in a really powerful way but of course anti-blackness and white supremacy have boxed black people and many other people of color completely out of the genre.” Mentioned https://linktr.ee/garrisonh (Linktree) @Garrionh https://www.instagram.com/garrisonh/?hl=en (Instagram) @GarrisonHayes https://www.tiktok.com/@garrisonhayes?lang=en (TikTok) @Garrison_Hayes https://twitter.com/garrison_hayes?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor (Twitter) @Garrison Hayes https://www.youtube.com/c/GarrisonHayes (YouTube) https://www.amazon.com/History-White-People-Irvin-Painter/dp/0393339742 (The History of White People) https://www.npr.org/2021/03/22/980047710/the-land-of-the-fee (Throughline - NPR)
Thomas Kennedy writes about corruption and corporate greed. He is a journalist, organizer, writer and an immigrant. Thomas graduated with an International Relations major from Florida International University and a master's in Community and Social Change from the University of Miami. Thomas has worked for nonprofits and civil rights organizations, including Service Employees, International Union, The New Florida Majority and as the Political Director for the Florida Immigration Coalition, managing statewide electoral campaigns and voter registration efforts. Recently he worked for Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign where he helped manage a team of volunteers across 50 states and worked at United We Dream. As national campaign manager he currently advises progressive and immigrant rights organizations and serves at the Democratic National Committee member who is focused on reforming the institution to make it more democratic and focused on working class issues. Thomas is one of our people. He is changing the narrative. What You Will Hear: Getting involved in activism The Dream Act Thomas’s catalyst in to and successes through activism Fighting corruption and corporate greed Federal court law suit against DeSantis Managing mental health within the work Climate change, technology and the state of the world Making a conscious choice to do the right thing Florida election fraud and schemes Thomas’s message
Quotes: “I got involved in activism because of my immigration status.” “Growing up and never seeing Congress be able to do something like immigration reform really atunes you to like looking at the legislative process and how stagnant it is “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” - Martin Luther King Jr. “I think we live in like a pivotal time in human existence right now and it's incumbent on all of us to try to steer it in the right direction because there's malicious actors, some of them in Florida, that are fighting every single day and every single night to steer us in the oppressive reactionary, fascist direction.” “The alternative is a brighter, more tolerant, equitable future, you know, in which again, we can realize the full potential that we have as a human species and let's face it. Like we are awesome. Like we have done incredible things. We have the potential to do so many more incredible things.” “You don’t do politics, politics is going to do you.” “How much worse can it get? You don't know until you sit back and do nothing.” Mentioned @Thomaskenn https://twitter.com/tomaskenn?lang=en (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/tomaskenn/?hl=en (Instagram)
Thomas Kennedy writes about corruption and corporate greed. He is a journalist, organizer, writer and an immigrant. Thomas graduated with an International Relations major from Florida International University and a master's in Community and Social Change from the University of Miami. Thomas has worked for nonprofits and civil rights organizations, including Service Employees, International Union, The New Florida Majority and as the Political Director for the Florida Immigration Coalition, managing statewide electoral campaigns and voter registration efforts. Recently he worked for Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign where he helped manage a team of volunteers across 50 states and worked at United We Dream. As national campaign manager he currently advises progressive and immigrant rights organizations and serves at the Democratic National Committee member who is focused on reforming the institution to make it more democratic and focused on working class issues. Thomas is one of our people. He is changing the narrative. What You Will Hear: Thomas’s back story Collapse of Argentine economy and Thomas’s family journey to the US The undocumented experience and its challenges Priviledge Quotes: “A lot of parents don't tell their children that they're undocumented.” “If my name wasn't Thomas Kennedy, a very Anglo sounding name, and I didn't look as white passing as I do, if my name was Cesar Gomez and I was a little bit darker skin those situations could go differently because it's statistically proven that they go differently.” Mentioned : @Thomaskenn https://twitter.com/tomaskenn?lang=en (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/tomaskenn/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.netflix.com/title/80209609 (Living Undocumented)
Dr. Bryan Leyva is an AfroLatinx physician activist who studies the intersections of medicine, racism, and social inequality. He has a background in community organizing, social justice art, and public health research, and sees all his work as being part of a larger effort to decolonize and diversify medicine and achieve equity in healthcare. His research, rooted in social justice frameworks and community engagement, has been published in journals like NEJM, JAMA Internal Medicine, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Social Science & Medicine, and Implementation Science. He has been featured in several news outlets including @NBCNightlyNews. He is bold, honest, and not afraid to stay present in his truth and we are so happy he agreed to come on the show. This good doctor believes that sustained activism is rooted in something deeper than outrage and we are eager to find out what that is.
Dr. Bryan Leyva is an AfroLatinx physician activist who studies the intersections of medicine, racism, and social inequality. He has a background in community organizing, social justice art, and public health research, and sees all his work as being part of a larger effort to decolonize and diversify medicine and achieve equity in healthcare. His research, rooted in social justice frameworks and community engagement, has been published in journals like NEJM, JAMA Internal Medicine, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Social Science & Medicine, and Implementation Science. He has been featured in several news outlets including @NBCNightlyNews. He is bold, honest, and not afraid to stay present in his truth and we are so happy he agreed to come on the show. This good doctor believes that sustained activism is rooted in something deeper than outrage and we are eager to find out what that is.
Dr. Bryan Leyva is an AfroLatinx physician activist who studies the intersections of medicine, racism, and social inequality. He has a background in community organizing, social justice art, and public health research, and sees all his work as being part of a larger effort to decolonize and diversify medicine and achieve equity in healthcare. His research, rooted in social justice frameworks and community engagement, has been published in journals like NEJM, JAMA Internal Medicine, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Social Science & Medicine, and Implementation Science. He has been featured in several news outlets including @NBCNightlyNews. He is bold, honest, and not afraid to stay present in his truth and we are so happy he agreed to come on the show. This good doctor believes that sustained activism is rooted in something deeper than outrage and we are eager to find out what that is.
Udit Kondal MD MPH is a Ventura county-based Board Certified Family Medicine Physician. He graduated from Drexel University College of Medicine, Board Certified in Family Practice (ABFM), and magna cum laude from Columbia University NY. Udit "Dr. Oo" Kondal, MD, MPH is a lifelong activist involved in Anti-police brutality work and Veganism. A budding Marxist Family doctor, multi-instrumentalist music, singer-songwriter music producer who loves to surf, skate, and play with his cat, Dr. Oo believes food and laughter are the best medicine. Dr. Oo says he believes in prevention and that good (or bad) health starts with what we eat. Welcome, Dr. Oo! What You Will Hear: Dr. Oo’s background, upbringing and travel Dr. Oo’s radical beliefs toward food The benefits of a plant based diet Identifying as “a budding Marxist family doctor.” Corona Virus and the best prevention for monkey pox Getting into trouble, activism and breaking the rules
Quotes: “There's a scheme going on here and it's making you sick. It's profiting off of your illness and your addictions.” “If we can utilize feminism and Marxism with anti-white supremacy, if we can guide our political action that way, and our, and our professional carriers that way, I think we could have a large impact.” “Challenge.every rule, break every rule you can and after that, then you will really know the ins and outs of that rule.” “I like to break rules because it makes me that much more learned and so much less stressed when I need to do something. That's right on the edge.I'm not stressed. I'm like, okay, cool.” “So getting into trouble, I think for me has made me grow.” “No shame in getting fired for the right reason. “
Kole Patterson is a 26 year old police officer born and raised in the Dayton Ohio area. Kole played college football at an HBCU in Charleston, West Virginia called West Virginia state university. He was a four year starter and a three-year captain. He won many awards, but takes the most pride in winning the teammate of the year award the spring of his junior year.Kole went on to become a police officer and has been doing so for three and a half years. He began to really gain social media presence during the pandemic, just showing who he was in uniform and being himself while maintaining a level of professionalism. Since then Kole's presence has taken on many forms and CTN can not wait to learn more about the man behind the moves. What You Will Hear: Kole’s journey growing up and attending an HBCU Becoming a police officer Making a difference in a system that’s built on a lot of distrust Social media What community policing means to Kole What happens when Kole encounters challenging situations with other cops How police culture needs to change
Quotes: “It was such a life changing experience to put myself in that situation, to be the minority was just amazing and it helps me in everyday life, not just my career.” “I like to be very proactive and not reactive.” “It's just having a conversation with people and being genuine and showing your heart and showing that, I'm not a badge.” “You wear a badge on your left, uh, left pectoral to protect your heart.” “I view community policing as just putting yourself in the community in any capacity.” “The cops are a team. They always say go home safe, but you also gotta make sure the community goes home safe as well.” “I've always been one to advocate for just fairness, just complete fairness to everyone and all.” Mentioned https://www.tiktok.com/@koledallas?lang=en (Tiktok) @officerkd @koledallas https://www.instagram.com/lordkoledallas/?hl=en (Instagram) @lordkoledallas https://www.facebook.com/kolepatt (Facebook) @kolepatterson
JD continues her conversation with Leteria Bailey. Leteria is a motivated Jamaican-American professional with a passion for serving and advocating for youth and people of color (POC). Through her work serving 5 NGOs in Montgomery County, Maryland, Leteria has researched and developed digital platforms, coordinated public facing organization events, and supported the distribution of over 1.3 million dollars to fund countywide youth development programs. She is currently working with Amgen in Senior Associate Business Communications on their Salesforce Platform. In 2016 Leteria founded Young Black and Aware to bring national awareness to police brutality and racism in communities of color. Young Black and Aware has garnered international recognition by highlighting social justice issues on a daily basis. As of January 2021, online engagement surpasses 350,000 persons monthly. Notable supporters of Young Black and Aware include American Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Activist Brittany Packnett-Cunningham, and Artist Bisa Butler. What You Will Hear: Raising children Amir Locke https://www.gofundme.com/f/amir-locke-memorial-fund (Go Fund Me) Keeping the memory of those murdered by the police alive Authenticity and mental health Social media What is next for Young, Black and Aware Black censorship on social media What Changing the Narrative means to Leteria Being transparent and authentic
Quotes: “The police can kill someone and then the taxpayers pay for it when comes to the settlement.” “I feel like we have a cultural responsibility to come together. We don't have to wait on these schools to do anything, we have the power of the internet, social media. We don't have to wait on these systems to teach us.” “I'm just hoping that in being transparent and authentic, I can inspire other black people to do the same.” Mentioned: Young Black and Awarehttps://www.instagram.com/youngblackandaware/?hl=en ( Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/YoungBlackAndAware/ (facebook) https://www.tiktok.com/@leteria.keneisha (tik tok)
Leteria Bailey is a motivated Jamaican-American professional with a passion for serving and advocating for youth and people of color (POC). Through her work serving 5 NGOs in Montgomery County, Maryland, Leteria has researched and developed digital platforms, coordinated public facing organization events, and supported the distribution of over 1.3 million dollars to fund countywide youth development programs. She is currently working with Amgen in Senior Associate Business Communications on their Salesforce Platform. In 2016 Leteria founded Young Black and Aware to bring national awareness to police brutality and racism in communities of color. Young Black and Aware has garnered international recognition by highlighting social justice issues on a daily basis. As of January 2021, online engagement surpasses 350,000 persons monthly. Notable supporters of Young Black and Aware include American Filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Activist Brittany Packnett-Cunningham, and Artist Bisa Butler.
Roberto is an award-winning Dominican American educator with over 15 years of educational administrative experience. Since teaching 9th grade English, he has worked in and led schools from Prek to 12th grades in the public, private, and charter sectors. He has brought innovative leadership ideas to revamp school cultures in order to meet student needs and help them improve. His work is characterized by a passion for supporting young people, prioritizing social justice, and a dedication to excellence. Currently, he’s Co-Founder and Executive Director ofhttps://www.multiculturalclassroomconsulting.com/ ( Multicultural Classroom) and lives in Tampa, FL. What You Will Hear: Collective immigration Conversations cultivated in their home for their children State politics and challenges Balancing different realities. The 1/3 and 1/3 policy The migration patterns of African-Americans The importance of conversation and knowledge of your own history Diversity and learning in classrooms Being present and authentic as a teacher, leader, therapist Creating an intentional space to speak honestly, be transparent and grow Starting https://www.multiculturalclassroom.com/ (Multicultural Classroom) and its mission. Change the narrative by not being afraid to have the courage, to build community, to love radically, to stand on our values
Quotes: “The immigrant stories, not just at the core of who we are, it's really at the core of all of our experiences.” “We're not afraid to engage in those conversations with our children. And we think that doing so better, equips them as they continue to navigate through their own experience. We're giving them language. We're giving them tools. We're giving them the resources to, to be able to talk about these experiences that are relevant to them and to do so in a way, in which they're knowledgeable, to the extent that they're young minds permits them to be.” “Let's not start making stuff up just for the sake of trying to protect our comfort as it relates to. engaging in conversations about race and equity and and anything that it, doesn't reinforce the hierarchical power structures that exist in this country.” “We all should come into it with an open mind. Now we might not agree on everything at the end of the day, but we can't even start the conversation. If we don't come in with a willingness to remain open to hearing things that challenge us open to experiencing something different. Open to seeing things from a different lens.” “We all should come into it with an open mind. Now we might not agree on everything at the end of the day, but we can't even start the conversation. If we don't come in with a willingness to remain open to hearing things that challenge us open to experiencing something different. Open to seeing things from a different lens.” “Even white folks in this country, many white folks are not necessarily fully tapped into their histories,” “We have a lot of young people who don't feel that they are celebrated. They don't see themselves reflected in the curriculum. And in many cases, they also don't see themselves reflect. In school leadership and school staff.” “I would love for our school leaders and our teachers to lead with curiosity, especially in those areas, in which they may feel some discomfort. Wrestle with that discomfort.” “In these uncertain times where there is a constant tension in the air that derives from racial undertones. Let us not be afraid to have the courage, to build community, to love radically to stand on our values. This is a beautiful and ugly country in many ways. I love to see us commit to making it more beautiful than ugly.” Mentioned https://www.amazon.com/Just-Mercy-Story-Justice-Redemption/dp/081298496X (Bryan Stevenson Just Mercy) https://www.amazon.com/Textured-Teaching-Framework-Culturally-Sustaining/dp/0325120412 (Textured Teaching A Framework for Culturally Sustaining Practices)...
Anthony Elden is self-described as a progressive Democrat, a history teacher, a change maker, a social media content creator, and a community builder. He has campaigned and is currently running his own social media channels and platforms. Tony has been able to develop social media community, building skills, such as copywriting. Marketing. Advertising community engagement management, and much more. Tony is always teaching and helping us to learn. He is critical race theory.
What You Will Hear: Anthony’s upbringing and how it has informed who he is today Messages from immigration Conscious parenting and teaching Being the class clown, even as a teacher Teaching middle schoolers in Florida and adults Washington DC Running for the State Senate in Florida 2020 election https://www.amazon.com/50-Inspiring-Black-Stories-Taught/dp/B08FKHZRB9 (50 Inspiring Black Stories) Youtube
Quotes: “I wanted her to see herself in what she had,” “In Bahamas it's harder to be a class clown because if you ever take it too far, the teachers can beat you.” “I never, for the rest of my, high school career even thought about fighting anyone, I was no longer a hothead. I was still a class clown, butI found my barriers and my, my boundaries and I stuck to 'em. “Adults can be pretty childish.” “I got so caught up in doing something more, I was forgetting to live” “Ever since I could talk, I was like, mom and dad, I am going to be the first black president.” “Every time I, I kind of saw something that I just wanted to pursue. I pursued it.” “I don't believe that I'm indicative of all black people, but I've wanted to provide my perspective.
Laura Jane Peterson is a civil rights activist and community organizer who has been a sales director with a demonstrated history of growing account revenue, clients, and sales. She has the ability to imagine it and then makes it happen. Since October 2020 this innovator became the founder of Say Their Names LA which is an established network of support, mutual aid and resources for families whose loved ones were killed by police violence in LA. Laura identifies as an abolitionist, activist, beacon, explorer and empath. What You Will Hear: Say Their Names and Families United collaborations Laura’s background and upbringing Learning about different cultures Working on Wall Street Lessons learned and coping through the loss of her father Police education and training America built on tenants of racism and white supremacy Tombstone graveyard Say Their Names LA Lobbying, NRA and Police Unions Mental Health Grassroots organizations Training clinicians to have a multicultural lens Changing the Narrative
Quotes: “The reason why white America can separate themselves from the experience that is clearly before their eyes is because they have the privilege to not feel.” “I wanna learn ways of interrupting, eradicating and addressing the realities of racism and oppression. We have to be able to impact and find our voice “ -Dr. Thema “We know that they know how to deescalate certain situations, when it's a white person, but when it's not, they don't use those skills, they do the opposite. So it's not about training and it's not about deescalating.” “Itt's an evolution. You have to learn. You have to learn what you believed and then unlearn that and apply something else.” “We have a number of families who have turned their fight into getting more resources and getting police out of mental health services.” “For us it’s really is about coming together and providing each other with support and resources that the government doesn't offer.” “Do something. Go out. Just try, put one foot in front of the other and just try and no goal or dream is too big. If you fail, you will learn and just keep using those learns and always feel your feelings.”
Mentioned Say Their Names LA https://www.instagram.com/saytheirnamesla/?hl=en ( Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/saytheirnamesla/ (facebook) Families United https://drthema.com/ (Dr. Thema) https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-09-04/dijon-kizzee-was-trying-to-find-his-way-relatives-say (Dijon Kizzee) https://www.instagram.com/justicefordavidsullivan/?hl=en (David Sullivan) https://aa.law/accidents/police-shot-and-killed-david-ordaz-jr/#:~:text=David%20Ordaz%20Jr.%2C%20a%2034,understanding%20of%20mental%20health%20issues. (David Ordaz Jr) https://www.lexipol.com/ (Lexipol) https://dignityandpowernow.org/ (Dignity and Power Now)
Phoenix Gibbs is a motivational speaker, affirmations, author, and self embodiment coach for single, free-spirited, aquarius lesbians. Through self embodiment, she guides them through releasing emotional and mental detachment to help attract the person who will accept them for who they are. Phoenix is also a wedding officiant and the author of a book called 365 Days of Affirmation for the Mind, Heart, Body, and Spirit, an affirmation biography about turning trauma and abuse she experienced into triumph. Phoenix’s passion is to help women unleash their full potential and show the world exactly who the F they are with no fear, no excuses, no explanations or apologies. What You Will Hear: Phoenix early life and traumas Confronting her father Phoenix’s mother and grandmother’s impact Near death experience People pleasing Married to a man and becoming lesbian Deep awakening and energy shift Being unapologetic Your Life, Your Purpose, No Explanations https://www.amazon.com/Days-Affirmations-Mind-Heart-Spirit/dp/1732411557 (365 Days of Affirmation for the Mind, Heart, Body, and Spirit.) Changing the narrative
Quotes: “Our parents really don't talk about their traumas. They don't talk about their stories. They don't talk about their challenges. They just wing it day by day.” “The legacy of regret is enough to inform anyone's journey if you're paying attention.” “People pleasing is not as selfless as it. It's often you're trying to fill a cup that's empty so you try to get this gratification that never actually comes.” “I realized I was entertaining one sided relationships.” “The one constant for me was live life to the best of my ability.” “Every minute of the day, someone's taking their last breath. And before they take their last breath, they have two choices. They think about the regret or they think about all that they did.” “Changing the narrative means to me is being committed to shift and change wholeheartedly in all aspects of your life. Because if you want better, you have to do better” Mentioned: https://selfembodimentcoach.mailerpage.com/ (Selfembodimentphoenix.com) Socials @phoenixgibbs or @phoenixsky https://linktr.ee/phoenixgibbs (Linktree/phoenixgibbs)
Just call me Cora. She says to everyone she meets, and we do. Cora Jakes is a dedicated warrior. She's a pastor, an author, a mother and daughter to the world renowned Bishop Jakes, the first lady Serita Jakes of The Potter's House. Cora is unafraid to show the delicious imperfectly perfect human that she is, mirroring humanity for all to savor. She is a leader in the community and is a healer who also is the director of the children's ministry at The Potter's House of Dallas. We are thrilled to have this compassionate, artistic, and loving voice on our show today to share her story. What You Will Hear: Growing up in a legacy Pressures of being the middle child and oldest daughter Becoming a preacher Religious and culture shock Faith and white supremacy Remaining grounded and Therapy Mental health Church and therapy https://www.amazon.com/Faithing-Bringing-Purpose-Back-Your/dp/0768409101 (Faithing It) and https://www.amazon.com/Ferocious-Warrior-Dismantle-Your-Enemy/dp/1629996599 (Ferocious Warrior) Being a mentor and blogging Call Me Cora Changing the narrative
Quotes: “I've always been the middle man the anchor between the siblings and kind of the pillar of faith for my family.” “I made white people comfortable using my comedic value.” “I'm learning that therapy doesn't have to be a red button emergency. It can be just something that you use to anchor yourself and navigate through those traumatic experiences that are above you.” “I try to keep people around me that don't think mental health is a crazy lane but that they are seeing the benefits of us being able to manage our trauma and navigate through our trauma in a healthy way.”. “We go to church because we need help. It's the hospital. It's a place for patients.” “Try people by the fruits that they show, not what you hear..” Mentioned https://www.thepottershouse.org/ (The Potters House) https://www.amazon.com/Faithing-Bringing-Purpose-Back-Your/dp/0768409101 (Faithing It) https://www.amazon.com/Ferocious-Warrior-Dismantle-Your-Enemy/dp/1629996599 (Ferocious Warrior)
Have you ever heard of the Real World, Big Brother, Biggest Loser or American Gladiator? JD’s guest in this episode is the greatest packaging agent of all time and the architect of television as we know it today. Some call it reality, some call it nonfiction and some call it unscripted. Whatever you wanna call it, Mark Itkin is responsible for it. Mark is the most respected agent in the business, even today, post-retirement. Mark is a true visionary who never takes no for an answer. If he believes, he believes. He doesn't care if it takes years to sell an idea, when he believes he's always right. How is he still making headlines? Because he doesn't stop. He's doing what he does best, packaging, creating and selling his newest show, College Bowl, is a huge hit and has been picked up for its second season.
A native Angelina Eden Alpert has grown up in and around the music industry. Her dad is an icon, the legendary Herb Alpert. Eden is a true connector. She truly loves to connect people to worlds that they wouldn't otherwise be exposed to. Eden, who has her degree in fashion from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising uses her sense of style to create spaces where people come together to make music and often donate for her special causes. She's managing director of the incredible jazz club Vibrato Bar and Grill where everyone has played, including I AM Music production company’s, Giovanna Clayton, and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. She was taught early on about philanthropy, and she's here to tell us all about her life today. What You Will Hear: Growing up as a celebrity child. Moving to Chicago in search of a normal life. Learning to redirect patterns. Being adopted and meeting her biological mother. Biggest mistakes and greatest lessons Philanthropy and getting involved. Being raised by an alcoholic parent. Abuse and choosing to make change. Sympathy vs empathy The importance of changing the narrative one person at a time.
Quotes: “The pain of familiarity is better, sometimes people think, than the pain of the unknown.” “Somewhere in my forties, I discovered everyone likes me for me.” “Oftentimes from our big, biggest mistakes come our greatest lessons.” “Boundaries are offensive to people who don't like boundaries.” “When you're abused as a child, any kind of abuse seems familiar.” “We all can make choices and we all can change our story. One of the lessons I learned is to not let my story define me” “You can love people and have nothing to do with them.” “The more privilege you have, the more voice you should use.” Mentioned https://www.vibratogrilljazz.com/ (Vibrato Bar and Grill) Fb https://www.facebook.com/eden.ruealpert/ (@EdenRueAlpert) IG https://www.instagram.com/edenalpert/ (@EdenAlpert)
Priya Harpaul is a New York-based therapist and the force behind @The_Therapy_Notebook on Instagram and TikTok. During the pandemic she started the Instagram account to give back and educate the public about mental health. Priya takes an intersectional approach to therapy knowing that our culture and how we exist in society have major influences on our mental health. Priya is on a mission to change the narrative by removing the stigma of seeking mental health services and we are here for it. Welcome Priya What You Will Hear: Identifying as Indo-Carribean. Impact of cultural differences and birth order. Respecting elders and fighting to be heard. Deciding to become a therapist. Collective cultures. Biases and preconceived notions in therapy. Understanding cultural differences. The influences of cultural and experience on mental health. Generational cycles and breaking negative patterns of behavior. Mental health and psychoeducation The Therapy Notebook- developing user friendly language for therapy Signs of depression that don’t appear as sadness What does the global majority need to do
Quotes: “Family business stays in the family.” “If you wanted to get help with your mental health, there weren't many people that looked like me in the therapy room.” “The global majority do come from collective cultures and you can't do therapy from an individualistic european eurocentric lens that alienates the collective and wants to pathologize it.” “Every teacher teaches from teachers from their cultural lens” “One thing about therapy is we do not treat the diagnosis. We treat the person.” Mentioned https://priyaharpaul.com/ (PriyaHarpaul.com) Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_therapy_notebook/?hl=en (@the_therapy_notebook) TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@the_therapy_notebook?lang=en (@the_therapy_notebook) CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Giva Wilkerson, M.A., MPA, Masters of Public Communications is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University Bloomington. She joins JD to talk about eating disorders. Giva recovered from her eating disorder and it's through that journey coupled with her perspective on life, social justice, activism, and health that have deeply changed her.
This week's guests Megan Reid and Ashely Gulyas are changing the narrative when it comes to education for kids and adults and learning through the good old fashioned book. Ashley aka “Diversify Our Parenting” is a mom, music teacher, instagrammer and Megan Reid aka “I Have a Book 4 That”, is also an author, blogger and a mother. Megan and Ashley give new meaning to unlearning white washed history. They are both teachers, moms, readers and living in accountability for diversifying our parenting and helping people find diverse books for all of life's moments, no matter how big, small or silly. One lesson we all learned during the pandemic is we don't need to be in the classroom to learn. Wherever you live, however old you are or your kids, whatever your skin color, this week’s guests will teach us how to bring diverse learning in to the classroom What You Will Hear: Ashley and Megan’s backgrounds and how they met. Unlearning and relearning. Intention vs. Impact. Pushback from social media. Finding equity in books. Libraries. Book banning. Greatest messages imparted to Ashley and Megan’s kids and students. Changing the narrative
Quotes: “Guilt never hurt anybody. We've all done something different because of guilt, but shame can really hold you hostage.” “It's absolutely clear that children from different backgrounds need to see themselves mirrored in books. We know that for sure kids learn best when they see images of themselves.” “What is most important are the lessons that you received as children and the messages you're giving to your children.” “In order for students to grow up and be people who help change, they have to first be able to identify the problem.” Mentioned: Megan IG https://www.instagram.com/ihaveabook4that/?hl=en (@Ihaveabook4that) Ashley IGhttps://www.instagram.com/diversify.our.parenting/ ( @diversify.our.parenting) https://www.amazon.com/All-Are-Welcome-Alexandra-Penfold/dp/0525579648 (All Are Welcome)
Prejudice meets power equals. Racism says our guests today Chase Linka Looper, soon to be legally Xavier Linka Looper. Xavier is a father, activist and disabled veteran. If you want to hear the true story of the birth of the United States and not the whitewashed version, you must listen to Xavier. He has made it his mission to use his white privilege responsibly. He recognizes his power and uses it to educate about racism, LGBTQ plus rights and women's rights. His platforms are quickly growing while he encourages and is sometimes provocative, but always intentional from painting his nails black, without apology, to telling the truth about white supremacy and the systems that protect it. Xavier speaks and is not afraid to ask the real questions.
What You Will Hear: Thank you for your service vs. Thank you for your sacrifice. Dark humor. Race-based, intergenerational chattel slavery. The creation of racism and race by the pale skinned. Doctrine of discovery and manifest destiny White privilege Convict leasing Individualism. Using the individualistic lens. Understanding white privilege Abortions and white supremacy Dismantling white supremacy
Quotes: “I tried my best to be what I believe to be an ally, I realized I was never truly an ally to anyone” “Just try to be the best human you can be, that's it like, you don't need a title for it.” “Racism came before race was ever created. it first started out as a blood quantum where people had pure blood and unclean blood.” “White privilege is the option to not do or explain anything.” “Marginalized groups can and will use civil rights, methods, agenda and dynamics to move their mission forward and then opt out.” “Individualism equals white privilege.” “White privilege isn't necessarily about what you have, it's about what you don't experience.” “The way we dismantle white supremacy is by dismantling the white supremacy that lies within us.” Mentioned: The Birth Dearth https://www.tiktok.com/@logicbylink?lang=en (Tik Tok @logicbylink) https://www.instagram.com/logicbylink/ (Instagram @logicbylink) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxD-s90pTuGZLJSTIinWPsA (Youtube @logicbylink)
You probably don’t recognize D854/105 but this week’s guest does. They are the patent numbers for the first ever patent for a punching bag since 1800. This badass entrepreneurial fitness expert has managed a way to take out her mental energy, anguish, anger, sadness, anxiety, fill in the blank and a fitness gain in the creation of Skullz, the first double end punching bag. Chris Jackson Baldwin is impassioned about changing the fitness and empowerment narrative and she is kicking some butt on the way. She uses her tough love and can do attitude to manage physical health. She is a wife, author and JD’s close friend. What You Will Hear: The theme of Chris’s childhood. Living a rebellious life. What Chris gained by enlisting in the military. Being adopted and how finding Chris’s birth family informed her life. Psychological warfare. Social media and negativity. Countering propaganda and the algorithm design. Psychological aspect of being fed fear. How Hitler was informed by slavery. Caste Colonization. The detriments and depths of self hatred. Gun reform. New book and Chris’s journey through her wife’s cancer treatment. Skullz boxing bag creation. The L Project Changing the narrative through politics
Quotes: “Some mothers are just birth canals.” “Turn off the news. Get your news from a non-partisan source. There are people out there really speaking truth and power.” “You don’t think you have a will, but you do.” “Gratitude really propels me a long way.” “Activity is more important than anything else.” “Tweak your diet until you find something that works for you.” Mentioned: https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/ (Caste by Isabel Wilkerson) https://www.zinnedproject.org/ (The Zinn Education Project ) https://thelproject.org/ (The L Project) https://www.instagram.com/lprojectla/?hl=en (Ig @lprojectla) https://twitter.com/lprojectla (Twitter @lprojectla) https://fightgoddessfitness.passion.io/ (Fight Goddess Fitness)
If the lyrics of Meshaun Labrone’s life were to tell a story it may be how it all comes true, how to be of service, how to assist and be you. When you listen to his music and watch his creativity you will hear the journey, transformation and flow of his life's intricacies and secrets. How does someone go from service, 13 years of being a state of Florida corrections officer, a metropolitan police officer in DC and still a court security officer contracted by US Marshals into what would seem to be a seismic transition in to being an acclaimed artist, actor, musician, writer, playwright, director, mentor and activist? The underlying theme of his life and all that he does is service, assistance, protection and justice. These are intertwined into all that he does. Can you hear the sirens blaring? They must be hearing the sounds of all of his acclaim, for his incredible work including his film Spook and one man show Power!
If the lyrics of Meshaun Labrone’s life were to tell a story it may be how it all comes true, how to be of service, how to assist and be you. When you listen to his music and watch his creativity you will hear the journey, transformation and flow of his life's intricacies and secrets. How does someone go from service, 13 years of being a state of Florida corrections officer, a metropolitan police officer in DC and still a court security officer contracted by US Marshals into what would seem to be a seismic transition in to being an acclaimed artist, actor, musician, writer, playwright, director, mentor and activist? The underlying theme of his life and all that he does is service, assistance, protection and justice. These are intertwined into all that he does. Can you hear the sirens blaring? They must be hearing the sounds of all of his acclaim, for his incredible work including his film Spook and one man show Power!
JD and Suzy are joined by Judge Alex, the host of the long-running hit show, Judge Alex and the CBS true crime hit Whistle Blower. What you may not know about the Cuban American former Dade county circuit judge, lawyer, speaker and author of Bench Book, a book and guide on closing arguments that is used by judges throughout Florida, is his journey. Judge Alex has lived in Florida his whole life after his family immigrated here from Cuba to flee Castro’s communist regime. He worked his way through college and law school by working as a cop. Law school til 4 pm, then like Batman, he morphed into the youngest Miami cop. When Suzy was a television agent, she sold Judge Alex’s show to Fox. Judge Alex is a no-nonsense outspoken personality who is a regular on all the new shows for his commentary. Married to Jane with 2 kids, tune in as JD and Suzy delve into Judge Alex’s story. What You Will Hear: Judge Alex’s upbringing, parents and fleeing Cuba. The Immigration experience. Working at 15 and earning a pilot’s license at 18 and traveling the world. Setting his sights on police work. Education creates options. From law enforcement to law. Being the youngest judge and first Cuban American lawyer ever elected to the circuit court bench. Becoming a TV Judge. Advice for judges. Influencing law vs enforcing law Media and the division of the country. News vs. commentary
Quotes: “We’d gone from just getting by and eeking out and existence to a comfortable lifestyle and that kind of ingrained in me the work ethic that I have.” “The options came from my education.” “If the job you're looking to get is something that you really want to do that you really like to do, it's a lot easier to see as something other than a job.” “I don’t quit, I just don’t” “Opportunities come from your educational base.” “As a lawyer you are a hired gun. Our system is adversarial.” “Your political views should have absolutely nothing to do with your judicial rulings. Whether you’re conservative or your’re liberal, you shouldnt be trying to create policy from the bench.” “If you want to make law and create policy then you should be a legislator, you shouldn’t be a judge.” “If you listen to the news, it’s demonizing your neighbor.” “News today is so blended with opinion that no matter what, you’re gonna get the news with the opinion and with whatever slant that particular network wants its viewers to hear.” Mentioned: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0445120/ (Judge Alex) https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/whistleblower/ (Whistleblower) https://www.iammusicgroup.com/ (I AM Music Group)
Marquita Thomas is a speaker with her own TED talk, she is an award-winning marketing and brand consultant and an event developer who knows her way around Hollywood. She is the owner of Out and About events. Deeply understating the world of marketing, pr, creating tv, radio and multimedia campaigns as well as red carpet even productions, Marquita walks the red carpet every day. As a leader in her community, she is running for West Hollywood City Council and is currently the Executive Director of the Los Angles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. What You Will Hear: Marquita’s upbringing before coming to Los Angeles. Going to parochial school and cleaning to pay off her tuition. Marquita’s determination to go to Occidental College. Humility and tenacity. The impact the Rodney King beatings on Marquita. How being a public persona has impacted Marquita’s personal journey. Clarifying “coming out”. Being on the planning commission. Affordable housing for marginalized communities. Inclusionary procurement. Thriving minority businesses. The pillars of Marquita's campaign for the West Hollywood City Council. Mental health crisis awareness. The most important thing to know about Marquita. Change the narrative by filling the gap and getting involved.
Quotes: “I lived in red states for 17 years. I moved to West Hollywood and within 4 months I got called the N world for the first time in my life.” “Racism is a societal problem.” “If you have more businesses run communities of color they’d be more inclusionary.” “Until all of us are free, none of us are free.”
Mentioned: https://www.marquita4weho.com/ (Marquita4Weho.com)
JD and Suzy welcome back Jolly Good Ginger to talk about the recent killings committed by cops and the lack of accountability in the justice system. Jolly Good Ginger has millions of followers who listen to his words and rants about racism. Born in the mountains of North Carolina, Jolly was raised not just around racists, but by them. He talks to white people about owning racism and what they can do about it. He has become a huge internet sensation. Since we’ve seen him last he has had his own TED talk and lots more in the works. What You Will Hear: Update on Jolly’s life since he was last on the show TED Talk AFTP (Always For The People) and The Families United Defensive barriers and speaking the truth Melissa Lucio death row Jimmy Atchison Patrick Lyoya Police training and reactions The trauma and aftermath Systemic propaganda: the crack epidemic Creating change and activism How Jolly wants to change the narrative in the next 5 years. Debating solutions not debating problems.
Quotes: “I really felt like they knew it was a problem but it was too much to fix.” “There’s no time out when the color of your skin is seen as a weapon.” “Cops are reacting thinking that everything is a threat to their life and so they think they’re saving their own life, no, you’re just killing people.” “As long as we’re training cops across the country that they’re always in danger, then this will always be the result.” “In this country if you call yourself a patriot and you are ok with extra judicial killings when cops murder civilians, then you’re not a constitutionalist, your not a patriot, you’re a fascist.” “The fact is, drug sentencing was created to target black people.” “Without revolutionary change nothing changes.” “If everyobody was debating solutions and nobody was debating problems we’d solve them all.” Mentioned: Valentina Orellana-Peralta Daniel Lopez Melissa Lucio Jimmy Atchinson Tik tok and IG @jolly_good_ginger Twitter @jollygoodginger
JDand Suzy welcome back Victor Gabriel. His new short film Hallelujah made its premiere at Sundance 2022. “To Know that my skin makes me royal, has been a journey.” Victor says. JD, Victor and Suzy are all connected in a special way. Vic and Suzy are colleagues, they went to Antioch together where they both got their masters in clinical psychology. JD was their favorite professor. Victor went a step further, going to AFI to finish the MFA program. Victor is just getting started, listen to this episode to hear what Victor’s new film and what he is up to next.
“The scenes of the collection shine bright as the author tells us of the sensual, bold and unforgiving experience of growing up black in America!” shouts Madcreek Books, an imprint of the Ohio State University Press, about our esteemed guest’s latest collection of work, A More Perfect Union. Teri Ellen Cross Davis works her experience, music, identity, sexuality and vulnerability into the power of poetry. Teri is unafraid to change the narrative and swim under the sea of truth. She is a distinguished scholar and author with her multi award winning collections of movements through her revolutionary thought. Teri is a mother of 2 , a wife and an artist. As a bonus track, she is also a huge fan of Donna Summer and Prince. Tune in to listen to the beauty of her colorful worlds and she shares her story with JD today. What You Will Hear: The influences that led Teri to start writing poetry. Imbedding the importance of language. When Teri finally proclaimed herself a poet. Children and poetry. How being a mother has informed her journey. Having balance and the influence of the news cycle. Knucklehead, poem reading. Code switching. Introducing and the beauty of the black vernacular. Furious Flower Poetry Center The Goddess of Cleaning, poem reading. The Goddess of Scars, poem reading. When I Am the Only One in the Room The secret to Teri and her husband’s bond.
Quotes: “Poetry is where my heart and my soul is and that’s where my people are.” “We have to let lose the constrictions that society presses upon us to navigate our souls in such a way to make us more consumable.” “The real poets are the children because they haven't learned to constrict themselves and their thought process yet.” “What you get in a giddy up is what you get in a round up.” “You ain’t got a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.” Mentioned: https://bookshop.org/ (Bookshop.org) https://www.givalpress.com/ (GivalPress) https://cavecanempoets.org/ (Cave Canem) https://poets.org/poem/knuckle-head (Knucklehead) https://www.jmu.edu/furiousflower/index.shtml (Furious Flower Poetry Center ) https://www.solidstatebooksdc.com/ (Solid State Books) Twitter @cross_davis IG @haint_poet https://www.poetsandparents.com/ (poetsandparents.com) Nikki Giovanni Toi Derricotte Cornelius Eady Lucille Clifton Sonia Sanchez Micheal Harper Elizabeth Alexander Harriett Mullen
JD and Suzy are welcomed by multi hyphenate Avery Kidd Waddell. He has appeared in over 50 tv shows, over 40 commercials and he isn’t stopping anytime soon. Avery is a writer, producer, actor, father and creator, writer and actor of the multi-award winning movie and HBO’s pick for best feature film, Questions. Avery says that after watching movies all his life, he rarely saw portraits of people who look like him. He wanted to shine a light and bring forward everything as a black man and artist that he wanted to see. What You Will Hear: Avery’s background and upbringing. Deciding that he wanted to write, produce and act. Mentors, experiences, challenges and black parenting. 5 years ago and 5 years from now. Inspiration for Questions. Black love and American blackness Focusing on production. Representation behind the camera. Humanizing the black body Changing the narrative. Meaningful conversations, portrayal and humanization.
Quotes: “Once I got started in acting I never really felt uncomfortable.” “I can’t think of anything more loving than preparing your child to face the world and be able to succeed.” “Life will always be stranger than art.” “American blackness is not a monolith.” Mentioned: Fb @averywaddell IG @averykiddwaddell https://www.amazon.com/Questions-Avery-Kidd-Waddell/dp/B08FWX5WFW (Questions) https://flixable.com/amazon-prime-video/title/tempest-eye/ (Tempest Eye)
Odilakachi W Hezekiah-Onwukwe, aka Master Odi, became fascinated with the idea on how human behavior could be modified simply through conversation and suggestion. He is a force of honesty. Odi specializes in afrocentric theory, racial identity, mental health wellness and financial behavioral issues. If you are a black man or woman and want to meet up with some truth, wellness, spiritual connection, and self actualization through mind, body, and spirit, in this episode, we have your man. What You Will Hear: Odilakachi’s background The influence of being bi-cultural Responsibility,accountability, marginalization and legacy Understanding the systemic issue and perception of oppression and oppressors Kanye West and Kim Kardashian Bipolar disorder Financial Therapy. Combining mental health and financial wealth Odi’s experience of being fired for taking a mental health day. Stigma about mental health and community Doing the work
Quotes: “As a black man the name of the game is accountability.” “There is no price for peace of mind.” “Accepting my shit is one thing, but doing the work to fix my shit is another.” Mentioned: http://www.blkwlth.com (www.blkwlth.com) All social media @mynamesuperlong The Group Sessions The Mindful Finance Course
Dr. Allycin Powell Hicks, aka Dr. Ally, has her PhD in clinical psychology. She is the host of Discovery Plus and OWN’s tv show that she hosts with her mother, Dr. Cynthia, aptly named Like Mother Like Daughter. From self worth, to anxiety, to self doubt, Dr. Ally has the solution. She is an entrepreneur, a media personality and the creator of one of the coolest card decks called Doux. As a consultant, a coach, a mental health expert and brand strategist she helps others and shifts their perspective aligning with their true purpose and building confidence. What You Will Hear: Dr. Allycin’s history. Who she was before becoming Dr. Ally Past generation’s struggles, hard work and successes. Understanding self and Allycin’s goal. The distinction of individual healing and becoming the best version of yourself vs collective healing. Intergenerational trauma Cultural competency and decolonizing mental health. Diagnosing a sick system. American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association apologizing for racism and the structure of pathologizing certain groups. Association of Black Psychologists rebuttal. Cultural competency. Like Mother Like Daughter tv show. Doux You card deck. How Dr. Ally stays grounded in the multicultural focus and how she adjusts the multicultural lens.
Quotes: “She conquers who conquers herself.” “I’m always geared to improving a person's understanding of who they are and how they function.” “Are we truly diagnosing something that is wrong that we can actually heal in a person or is it that we are in a way penalizing a person for not fitting a sick system and we don’t want to diagnose the system?” “There are so many conversations that we could be having to really understand everyone's true intersection.” Mentioned: https://www.allycinhicks.com/ (Dr. Allycin Powell-Hicks website) https://abpsi.org/default.aspx (Association of Black Psychologists) https://www.psychiatry.org/ (American Psychiatric Association) https://www.apa.org/ (American Psychological Association) https://youtu.be/HRUq33zoQ88 (Like Mother Like Daughter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004089I3I/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 (My Mother Myself) https://www.allycinhicks.com/shop (Doux You Deck)
Yvonne Victor is a certified life and business coach who transforms life through discovery, vision, strategy, action and accountability. She is the founder of Yvonne Victor Life Coach Life Design. She believes that we don't have to dream of the life we want, we can live it. She is an author, a dreamer, a life teacher, a speaker and mother and an entrepreneur. If you want the prize run the race. Listen in as she share her secrets and tools with JD on this episode.
Attention white women! White women unite! Pam Ditto declares all of this, not because white women are smarter, but because they use that historical narrative to not stand up for justice, injustice and racism. Pam says that the road to success is not the one paved by the white man. She stands up to patriarchy, white people and white women. She is sick and tired of “white is right” and white women in particular who cannot tolerate the discomfort of change. She is honest, real and uses her voice to share not only her experience from everything from her dental procedures to her adoption to her feelings on interracial adoption. She says, “Don’t even get me started.” but in this episode JD and Suzy can’t wait to get her started. What You Will Hear: The impact of her realization and acknowledgement of her privilege growing up. What refined Pam’s activism. Voter registration and voter suppression. Pam’s views on adoption. Interracial adoption. White women and patriarchy. Greatest lesson learned about parenting. TikTok and white activism. Avoiding the white savior syndrome.
Quotes: “Pay attention to the journey…..consider that you don’t know everything.” “White is a construct that was meant to keep people down.” “Representation and inclusion matter so much more to white people than we realize.” “You have to be vulnerable enough and emotionally available enough, for your children, to be wrong.”
Mentioned: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/pamiam1313?lang=en (Tiktok: @PamIam1313) https://www.iammusicgroup.com/ (I AM Music Group)
Mac Stanley is a licensed psychotherapist and the founder, creator and CEO of Therapy is for Everyone in New York and New Jersey, specializing in serving black men and women. Mac specializes in couples therapy where he processes everything from improving communication skills to healing from trauma and affairs to dating or recovering from a narcissist. Mac is passionate about changing the narrative in the black community and removing the stigma attached to therapy. His professional goal is teaching the black community how to obtain, sustain and enhance all aspects of black love. Mac is also extremely creative and clever. He developed a cool project during the pandemic that he tells us more about in this episode. therapyisforeveryone.org
In this episode JD invites Suzy’s mother Barbara Rose to discuss aging and motherhood. Listen in on a candid, heartfelt and honest conversation about motherhood and aging. Barbara Rose is an age activist, a teacher, a painter ,a poet, an author and Suzy’s mother. She has published over 13 books and won a national library award for her poetry. She has appeared on the Today Show, The Talk, E.T and Andy Cohen’s, “What what happens Live.”. She founded the first age march in history to celebrate age pride. She happens to be 85 and is just starting her career. What You Will Hear: What Barbara takes most pride in and what she would change The role of motherhood The art of aging well Age March and ageism Biggest regret Future plans at 85 and people’s perceptions of age Painting Changing the aging narrative Age March
Quotes: “To age well is to have insight into yourself and compassion for others.” “If you want something and you feel it, you can have it if you pursue it.” “I feel we have a future everyday we breathe and purpose is the key to longevity.”
Mentioned: https://www.agemarch.org/ (Agemarch.org) https://www.iammusicgroup.com/ (I AM Music Group)
You’re not supposed to be so blined with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong no matter who says it.” -Malcolm X. Glenn Block has this quote at the top of his LinkedIn page. Glenn has a wonderfully complex set of accomplishments, and just as importantly, goals that he is committing his life to achieving. He holds and MBA from Seatlle University Leadership Executive program and is and expert in technology he is an entrepreneur and mentor, an advocate and an accomplice for change. He has a 25 year history of leading teams in technology from conception to fruition. He is actively trying to bring diversity and inclusion into the tech world. “It’s not about equality, it's about equity.” Institutionalized racism, social and racial justice as well as access are just a few of the missions that he is passionate about challenging. He is here to talk with JD about all of this and more. What You Will Hear: Alliedship vs Allies Title vs. Doing the work Glenn’s background and how he learned about racial injustice Learned racism Becoming muslim and lifechanging events Equity vs. Equality Privilege Law Enforcement The impact words Intention, action, accountability and unlearning Mentoring black women and sustainability Policy and accountability
Quotes: “What can I do as a white, cis gender male to better support people that come from marginalized backgrounds.” “I always knew there were inequities, but not realizing how much the system is stacked against black people and how deep those institutions run.” “Change is not gonna happen if people are comfortable” “Whether you have good intent or not, harm is harm.” “The only way you're going to stop the harm is by having policies and accountability.”
Mentioned: Denise Branch New Jim Crow https://www.techbridgegirls.org/ (TechBridgeGirls) https://futureforusassembly2020.splashthat.com/ (Future For Us) https://www.blackwomentalktech.com/ (Black Women Talk Tech) https://www.boldbusiness.com/society/gauging-effectiveness-your-employee-resource-group/ (BOLD) https://www.amazon.com/Memo-Women-Color-Secure-Table-ebook/dp/B07L2WRVSW (The Memo) ERG - Employee Resource Group https://www.linkedin.com/in/gblock (LinkedIn)
Nakeya T Fields is a USC graduate and a licensed social worker who has made play part of her career. The first generation college graduate in her family, Nakeya is a registered play therapist as well as founder and chair of the board for Therapeutic Play Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to build a healthier and a more resilient world for under-resourced communities. She is also a trauma informed restorative yoga teacher and is all about building space for mini yogis too. Nakeya is not only a mental health entrepreneur, she is also an author, a team leader for the black mental health task force and host of the Beyond Expectations podcast where she talks about everything from parenting to tarot card reading. What You Will Hear: Nakeya’s last 10 years How Nakeya developed her focus and career Expanding the lense to see all of the possibilities in one's career The importance and impact of opportunity and relationships. How Nakeya’s built her first business Successful integration of yoga into her therapeutic practice Mindfulness The Black Mental Health Task Force and advocacy The black mindset. Choosing health and wellness and rest. How Nakeya stays grounded
Quotes: “I need to be stimulated by learning things.” “Whatever stimulates your mind, you can go create it, especially with a license.” “Everything is in who you know.” “I wanted to share the difference it makes when you have a mindful practice.” “When you need help and you need to gain power, you have the ability to build it for yourself.” “Mindset is mental health.” “Let’s change the narrative to be “I AM Powerful”.” Mentioned: https://www.blackmentalhealthtaskforce.net/ (The Black Mental Health Task Force) https://dcfs.lacounty.gov/ (DCFS) https://learngrowlead.org/about/ (Learn Grow Lead) https://therapeuticplayfoundation.org/ (Therapeutic Play Foundation)
Durham City Council member Pierce Freelon is an accomplished Hip Hop/soul/electronic musician and Emmy-award winning producer, director and professor from Durham, NC whose work has been featured on the https://www.today.com/video/pierce-freelon-performs-with-daughter-on-children-s-hip-hop-album-91266117697 (TODAY Show) and at https://www.npr.org/2020/08/01/896920635/pierce-freelon-on-his-childrens-album-and-the-legacy-of-his-creative-black-famil (NPR), https://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/music/musician-celebrates-black-fatherhood-with-new-family-hip-hop-album/ (Parents Magazine) and more. He is the co-founder of the Emmy Award winning PBS web-series Beat Making Lab- an and has taught in the departments of Music and African American Studies at the University of NC at Chapel Hill. Pierce is the writer, composer and co-director of an animated series called History of White People in America, an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival. As the founder of Blackspace, a digital maker space, he has mentored dozens of youth, teaching digital storytelling through music and film. Pierce is the frontman of critically acclaimed Jazz/Hip Hop quartet The Beast and has toured internationally and released a series of albums, EPs, and mixtapes. His debut children's book, Daddy Daughter Day is set for release in 2022. He is the son of famed Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and the late preeminent architect of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Phil Freelon. Pierce lives in Durham with his wife and their two young children. More at http://piercefreelon.com/ (piercefreelon.com) What You Will Hear: Pierce’s early childhood environment, influences and lessons What happens when you merge the world of art with activism Ancestry, spirituality and community Nurturing mental health in the black community White supremacy Navigating through movement work, politics and activism Tools of the oppressor Musical and creative inspirations Blackspace White institutions vs black institutions Racial caste system and the creation of the black and white divide Changing the narrative
Quotes: “‘Lift as you climb” “No is a love word” “We don’t just carry ancestral trauma, we also carry our ancestral resilience” -Omisade Burney-Scott “There is no check that you can cut that is worth me devaluing my soul.” “I wanted that university caliber of resource to be available and accessible to black children at all times…..that’s what they deserve, that’s what we deserve.” “Everything you touch you change, everything you change, changes you.” - Octavia Butler “God is change.” Mentioned: Social Media @PierceFreelon Omisade Burney-Scott Black Girls Guide to Menopause https://www.piercefreelon.com/b2tf (Black to the Future) http://theblackspace.org/ (Blackspace) Octavia Butler
Description Jolly Good Ginger was born in the mountains of North Carolina, Jolly was raised, not just around racists, but by them. At age 15 he became an advocate taking his learnings from his upbringing into unlearning, relearning and being an advocate for social justice, civil justice and racism. He has become an internet sensation who speaks his truth. One of the things he says, “People are dying everyday, if you’re not part of the solution, get out of my way, good day.” What You Will Hear: No safe spaces for racists. Calling out racism and challenging the belief systems. LBGTQ+ parents and causing change. Cognitive dissonance and white people owning racism. Recognizing and associating the results of history and systems. Collective mental health and marginalized community trauma. Poor white america, generational trauma and dissonance. The dehumanization of black communities built into the american systems. Compromising with white america. Creating an army of unapologetic white people who aren’t going to have a safe space for people to operate in their own bigotry. White america perceiving they are under attack. Projecting who we are on other groups. Being activist. Changing the narrative
Quotes: “I don’t need to know what it’s like to be black in America, I just need to believe it exists.” “Change happens in relationships more than it does from the outside in.” “We systematically dehumanized black america.” “White supremacy is this a blanket of protection around white america.” “Compromised white america has given every problem we have in history.” Mentioned: IG and Twitter @jolly_good_ginger Malcolm X Martin Luther King El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
JD and Suzy unpack the truth about racism and white America with advocate and influencerJolly Good Ginger. Jolly was born in the mountains of North Carolina. He was raised, not just around racists, but by them. At age 15 he became an advocate, taking his learnings from his upbringing into unlearning, relearning and being an advocate for social justice, civil justice and racism. He has become an internet sensation who speaks his truth. One of the things he says, “People are dying everyday, if you’re not part of the solution, get out of my way, good day.” What You Will Hear: Early messages Jolly learned The exception fallacy of being raised by racists. Jolly’s early experience and knowledge of interracial relationships. Spending time in a black neighborhood around his mixed siblings. Questioning what he was told vs what he was seeing and experiencing. Winning the moral and mental fight. Calling out family. Joining the military, bigotry, homophobia, stereotypes and change. Helping others from racist communities find courage to stand up. The CEO of no safe spaces for racists. If you see something say something. Racist systems in the hands of white supremacists. Racists vs white supremacist. Understanding racism, anti-racism and the word ally.
Quotes: “The transition, if you want to be part of the solution, comes when you realized you wasn’t raised around racists, you were raised by them.” “Your empathy is not solving anything. Save your empathy and fix your cousins.” “Do I cognitively disassociate myself from reality to accept what i was taught or do simply accept what’s right in front of my face.” “If you want to sink a boat you have to put holes in the bottom.” “I want white people to be scared to be racist.” “White people across the board care more about being called a racist than they do about actual racism.” “White people subconsciously see racism as a light switch.” Mentioned: IG and Twitter @jolly_good_ginger
Debrah and Max Hyman's story is one of truth, adoption, addiction, pain, sadness, despair, anger, forgiveness and ultimately redemption, recovery and love. Debrah is an esteemed psychotherapist who has been practicing for over 40 years, specializing in substance abuse treatment, prevention and intervention. Her 32 year old son Max is an artist, performer, nature enthusiast, adventurer and dreamer. Max has been through a lifetime of a chronic and debilitating relationship with alcoholism. Together this mother and son have climbed the mountain of recovery. It felt impossible at times, but they have arrived up here where the air is a little bit thinner and filled with the accomplishment of finding and recovering a life, love and a new and profound connection. What You Will Hear: Debrah and Jeff’s story of multiple miscarriages and the opportunity to adopt Max. Max’s first understanding of adoption. Starting to act out in 7th and 8th grade and signs that there was trouble ahead. Drawing boundaries. Alcoholism and witnessing Max getting arrested. Hospitalization, nursing home, finding hope and recovery. Debrah choosing to not have contact with Max through his recovery. Max’s understanding Debrah’s choice. What they have learned about one another. Most common pitfalls when addicts are trying to figure out the road to recovery. What to know about recovery.
Quotes “I really felt in my heart, if Max was ever going to make it for himself, he had to do it independently of me, his mother.” “I’m learning that I know very little about my mom.” “Recovery takes time. Time takes time.” “It’s important for me to understand and to recognize that I can’t believe everything I think.” “Recovery is a very doable, uncomfortable process.” “Gratitude is essential.”
Sharda Coleman met her soulmate and husband during the pandemic. Her husband has been serving time in an Alabama prison for a crime he claims he didn’t commit. She has never been able to meet, touch or see him. She has committed her life to getting his story out by using her voice everywhere to free Leonard Coleman. In addition to being committed to finding justice for her husband, she is committed to motherhood, her career and her spirituality.. What You Will Hear: Who is Sharda Coleman. What qualities attracted her to Leonard Coleman. Wrongful conviction and evidence of wrongful convictions. Issues with the justice system. Qualities that Sharda attributes to being able to be in a relationship with Leonard. Challenges of being married to someone who has been convicted. Prison relationships. Living a double life of sorts. Managing her own mental health. What motivated Sharda to advocate for Leonard. How can you help
Quotes “I believe when you do the right thing, good things follow you.” “I draw a lot of strength from my relationship with God.” “Not everyone sitting in prison is there because they actually committed a crime.”
Mentioned: Change.org/freeleonardcoleman
Named one of NYC ‘s 25 most influential women in Brooklyn, Zakiyah Ansari is a parent of 8, an education rights leader and a civil and social justice activist who is passionate about changing education for all bodies. She is the advocacy director and New York City’s director of Alliance For Quality Education (AQI) dedicated to ending systemic racism and economic oppression in New York City’s public schools that has impacted generations of black, brown, low income and immigrant students who have been robbed of what they deserve, high quality education. Zakiyah is also a founding member of the Resistance Revival Chorus, an incredible group of huas who sing songs of resistance and uplift. Born in the heinous months following the election of Donald Trump. What You Will Hear: Defining moments throughout Zakiyah’s journey. Empowering students around educational equity. Being inspired by young people. Parent participation, PTA, organizing and growing a movement. Resistance Revival chorus and how it informs Zakiyah’s work. Art and activism. Joy in the resistance. What activism looks like at home with children. Being honest and providing a space to share. Dehumanization of the black man. Dignity and respect. How to accept and process praise. Politics and education. The struggle of motivating and inspiring people to get involved and vote. The critical race theory pawn. Integrating spiritual beliefs into activism. Walking into a space as yourself with dignity and poise. Combatting low self esteem. Positive self talk. Organizing, bringing people together and being a bridge. Self love and empowerment. Changing the Narrative.
Quotes “Young people are inspiring me all the time. This work coupled with their fearlessness has helped motivate me to move forward and be in this struggle in a way that honors them.” “Doing the work to improve all of their circumstance is really a goal and a mission of mine.” “When you know there an absolute for black, brown and poor children in this country it is physically painful as well as psychologically and mentally exhausting.” “Resilience is overrated.” “By us not taking care of folks who are mentally ill or housing folks who are unhoused it allows too many people to accept that folks, children and babies in cages is acceptable too.” “It is really important to be and informed and educated voter.” “Remember to allow yourself to be held the way that you hold.” “I believe in the power of we.” “This organizing thing is a marathon, it is not a sprint.” Mentioned: https://boldorganizing.org/ (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity (BOLD))
Author, Activist, Educator and fierce Social and Civil Rights Leader Dax Devlon Ross has dedicated and committed his life to identifying and dismantling structures of power and privilege. He holds a Journalists Doctorate from George Washington Law School. He has been honoured by the National Association of Black Journalists for his investigative reporting and he has been featured and recognized in some of the most esteemed forums including Time Magazine , the Guardian, NY Times and Washington Post. He has authored 6 books, including his newest, Letter To My White Friends.
What You Will Hear:
The story behind Dax’s name and how he uses it as his own kind of Mantra.
Being arrested at the age of 19 and the impact it made on his life.
The liberatory and transformative effect of Dax’s visit to South Africa.
Dax’s consulting business: Disruptive Equity Venture.
Making a greater impact in the world..
Ally vs. Abolitionist
Connecting and aligning with other people and movements
The continued diminishment of and minimization of darker people around the world.
2 different responses to Dax’s book Letter To My White People.
Deep beliefs and how they operate within everyone. Unlearning to learn something new.
Quotes
“It’s about helping people shake it up to the extent that they are ready and willing to begin to do the work they want to do in order to become who they believe they could be, should be in the world.”
“It is very important to continue to bring in and connect with other peoples and movements.”
“The enticements of access are so alluring, the are too seductive for people.”
“In order for me to survive in your world I had to go through the crucible to do some deep, deep work around myself.”
Mentioned:
https://dax-dev.com/ (Disruptive Equity Venture)
Rachel Mason is an accomplished artist, musician, filmmaker, producer, therapist, mommy and partner. Her work has been featured in some of the most prestigious museums in the world including the Whitney Museum, LACMA and the Art Institute in Chicago. As a creator and a writer she produced the acclaimed Netflix original documentary Circus of Books, a poignant film about a jewish couple running a gay porn book store offering a rare and delicoious glimpse in to an untold chapter of queer history.
What You Will Hear:
Rachel’s self description.
Creativity vs commercial success.
Taking care of mental health and the importance of therapy.
Therapy vs. Pharma and medical insurance.
The accomplishment of getting something into the mass media and the team work it takes.
Rachel’s parents porn bookstore.
The challenges and rewards of collaborations.
Political activism.
Upcoming projects.
Quotes
“Being an artist was a security blanket.”
“Art really saved me from all this social anxiety.”
“Straight people are not the enemy.”
Mentioned:
IG @futureclown
https://www.futureclown.com/ (Futureclown.com)
Melody Li is a change maker and a force. Melody uses their voice and passion as a queer person of color to affect change and celebrate all identities and abilities in all bodies. Melody is a licensed marriage and family therapist, entrepreneur, a keynote speaker, a podcaster, an educator and an activist. They developed and founded The Inclusive Therapist offering a safer and simpler way to find culturally responsible and social justice therapists centered on the needs of black and indigenous people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community. Melody is also passionate about animal welfare.
What You Will Hear:
Who is Melody Li?
Building community and spaces with the intent to offer culturally responsive, justice and liberation oriented support for service users.
Mental and transdisciplinary liberation .
Reclaiming and restoring wellness to marginalized communities
Racialized trauma and intergenerational trauma
Learning to cope
Racial hierarchy, capitalism and white supremacy
The Inclusive Therapist
Quotes
“Conversations about culture often times is usually in the footnotes.”
“My culture is integrated with all forms of my well being.”
“If I am not actively dismantling and disrupting these systems that hold so much power that can do harm then I am complicit in the harm.”
“Not only is racialized trauma the impact of an act of violence, but it is the toll,the weight of navigating the world and not being able to relax into safety.”.
Mentioned:
https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/ (The Inclusive Therapist)
IG @inclusivetherapist
https://www.melodyli.com/ (MelodyLi.com)
IG @melodyhopeli
Austin Therapists of Color
The Queen of Shade is an Intellectual entertainer, content creator, mentor, brand ambassador, singer songwriter, Shaman and social media influencer. The Queen sits down with JD and Suzy to discuss her journey, lifestyle and podcast
What You Will Hear:
Mentoring, its influence and importance
Figuring out how to manage mental health and career
Family, broken family and relationships
Having to be medically withdrawn from college
Therapy and the motivation to become an entertainer
Destigmatizing therapy
Dave Chapelle
Being LGBTQ and black
Working as a phone sex agent
Quotes
“Even if you come from a broken family you can still make something out of your life.”
“When rappers and musicians get out of the hood, they can’t go back.”
“Therapy is the only reason I am now a successful working entertainer.”
“The black communinty needs to understand we are queer we’re gay and black. You don’t get the option to only support our blackness”-TS Madison
Mentioned:
https://thequeenofshade.com/index.html (Thequeenofshade.com)
Dr. Patricia Johnson holds a doctorate of psychology and is passionate about exploring and unraveling biracial identity work. Dr. Johnson conducts workshops and classes as well as providing psychotherapy on the subjects of interracial and biracial issues.
Katrina Strohl is a Navy veteran, an aviation structural mechanic who has literally turned her life around. She is now a certified career coach and host of the “Absolutely Not” podcast which is dedicated to creating a healthy workplace. She sits down with JD and Suzy to tell her story including her own struggle with mental health.
What You Will Hear:
Resilience being the theme of Katrina’s life right now
Intersectionality and identities
PTSD, NDD and alcoholism diagnosis during Katrina’s military service
Katrina’s journey from military service to entrepreneurship
Katrina’s multiple attempts to take her own life and how that drove her to become a counselor.
Boundaries, self awareness and the importance of both.
Psychological first aid
Foster care system the good and the bad.
Quotes
“My opinions and ideals come in a rainbow effect.”
“I didn’t know how to name the harm that was being placed upon me.”
Mentioned:
http://www.katrinastrohl.com/ (www.katrinastrohl.com)
Supermodel Cristina Ferrare was put under contract by the Ford modeling agency when she was just 16 years old. She is also a mother of 7, a grandmother an amazing cook, an entertainer, a New York Times Best Selling author and a cancer survivor. She uses her humor and truth to reflect on her life and share her story everyday. Kristina joins JD to talk about all the ways she is flourishing.
.What You Will Hear:
Kristina’s childhood and passion for cooking
Transition from high school into modeling at the age of 14.
Big psychological impact of early success and dealing with rejection.
Biggest accomplishment and biggest failure.
Multiple myeloma diagnosis.
The importance of a good attitude, laughter and forgiveness.
Men being caregivers and self realizations.
Becoming an author and entrepreneur.
Food for Thought book and taking responsibility for your health.
Flourish Body, Mind, Soul
Being authentic, passionate and truthful.
Quotes
“I express my love and appreciation for all my friend through food.”
“Sometimes your chain has to be pulled in order for you to go in the direction you’re meant to go in.”
“I learned that failure is opportunity disguised as disappointment.”
“I believe food is medicine for your body.”
“You have to take control of your own life and your own health.”
Mentioned:
MAX Factor
Eileen Ford
Cosmopolitan and Vogue magazines
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1642930571/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1642930571&linkCode=as2&tag=crisferr-20&linkId=2d2f8ac0920b3c7f2704014a8f673a78 (Food for Thought)
https://cristinaferrare.com/ (KristinaFerrare.com)
https://flourishbms.com/ (Flourish)
Ashley McDonough combined her passions of storytelling, culture and travel, launching FREE travel app, Melanin On the Map. With her love of culture and experiences McDonough wanted to create a safe space that not only created travel opportunities for ALL minorities but changed the way the world views minority travel. Ashlei s a Howard University journalism graduate, published journalist, producer and writer. Her experience in the media industry has allowed her to obtain skills from research, interviewing, production, hosting and analytics of social media. A storyteller at heart, McDonough has produced and written thousands of culture based content at some of the top media outlets in the country. Such as Billboard, ESSENCE Magazine and Will Packer Productions XoNecole.
What You Will Hear:
The root of Ashley’s passion for travel and love for culture.
Ashley’s need for travel and desire to be an entrepreneur and it’s connection to her family’s legacy and migrant roots.
The access to and impact of travel.
The experience of the black American traveler.. Safety.
The Green Book vs. Melanin on the Map
Therapy and maintaining a healthy life.
The effects of the pandemic on Ashley’s new budding travel business
Changing the narrative through communication and conversations
Quotes
“I have this deep passion for travel because it shows you that there is more to life, it shows you that there is life outside of you and your city and your people and your network.”
“You do have a say in what you want your life to look like.”
“The black travel experience is very specific.”
“I am existing blatantly for what my blackness looks like and connecting with others whose blackness looks the same.”
Mentioned:
The Green Book
iG @ashley_milani
@melaninonthemap
App store Melanin on the Map
Featured everywhere from the New York Times to TMZ, writer, director and actress Jessie Kahnweiler, uses her art to openly share her experience. She is sought after for her voice that ranges from the comedic to the tragic to the real and always honest and humble.
What You Will Hear:
Jessie’s philosophy on life
Dealing with bulimia, healing and recovery
Being in tune with your body. The difference between 20s and 30s
Starring in “The Skinny”
Access
Privilege
Taking power and control of your own destiny
Advice
Changing the narrative through self compassion
Quotes
“Creativity is such a lesson in resilience.”
“There’s a lot of horrible, awful, unjust things in the world but you have a choice with how much you contribute to that.”
“If we were nicer to ourselves what kind of world would it be?”
Mentioned:
IG @Jessie_Kahnweiler
https://jessiekahnweiler.com/ (JessieKahnweiler.com)
Kevin Collins is an Ivy league educated author and professor who teaches screenwriting, television and film. He started his screenwriting career on the acclaimed Showtime series Soulfood. After a short stint in Hollywood he transitioned to authoring a series of Sci-Fi books, The Unveiling and the Adventures of Zoku. In this episode Kevim shares his story, his imagination and new, exciting and upcoming projects.
What You Will Hear:
Socio economics narrative vs. the black narrative.
The Black experience supporting White supremacy.
Kevin’s realizations and barrier destruction upon moving to Africa.
Racism in America and the negative impact and collateral damage of white supremacy.
Life altering events. Suffering and attachment. Vipassana meditation and tools to cope with attachment and suffering.
Accepting change.
Non-textbook lessons learned and taught. Kevin’s evolution as a storyteller and writer.
Sumerian mythology.
White Supremacy Playbook Decoded. Replacement theory: misogyny and controlling black men.
Quotes
“It only takes a few generations to not know anymore.”
“We are doing a lot of the work for white supremacy on our own.”
“Suffering comes out of attachment.”
Mentioned:
Vipassana Meditation
Zuko
http://theunveilingseries.com/ (The Unveiling Series)
Fb: KLCollins
Unveiling
Filmmaker, Innovator and Artist Robert Broadhurst sits down with JD and Suzy to discuss the impact of understanding and owning his role as a white man of privilege and it’s influence on his life. As an editor, Robert’s work has spanned Emmy award nominated television, documentary, film and commercials along with work for brands including Adidas, Apple, Nike, Balmain, DKNY, H&M, Alexander Wang and Equinox. As his role as an editor became more comprehensive and creative, naturally evolving into directing. His extraordinary film, “An Occurrence at Arverne”, is his directorial debut.
What You Will Hear:
JD and Roberts connection and past
Responsibility and obligation as a white person of privilege
Robert’s experience, as a white man, trying to tell the story of a black man
Black and White responses to Robert’s film
Social climate’s impact on the acceptance of “An Occurrence at Arverne”.
JD’s influence on Robert
Change the narrative by first understanding the narrative and your role in the narrative
Quotes
“I felt a responsibility and an obligation as a white person who has enjoyed privilege alot of my life, to contribute to the conversation and hopefully pull the veil back for other white people like black people have for me.”
“At some point you have to realize you’re in the Matrix.”
“You’ve got to be ready to accept and own your role in it.”
“You’re not going to change the world unless you change yourself.”
Mentioned:
@Robertbroadhurst
Beloved
James Baldwin
https://vimeo.com/robertbroadhurst (Vimeo/RobertBroadhurst)
Chille DeCastro is passionate about America keeping its promise to liberty and freedom. He believes that the basis of so much of our injustice is based in the devastating1968 ruling on the supreme court case Terry vs. Ohio. Having his home unjustly raided twice by the police set Chille on a mission to uncover the root of injustices committed at the hands of police. His website Delete Lawz gives detailed information about Terry vs Ohio and it’s direct connection to racial injustice in America.
What You Will Hear:
Chille’s upbringing in Alaska and struggles with ADHD and OCD
Chille’s experience with raids and no knock raids
High flight risk assessment based on racism and family ties
Hollywood career and business ventures
Mental and social effects of being a victim of a no knock raid
The history of the criminal justice system and its relation to capitalism
Standard Oil and the use of hemp and marijuana as an energy source in the 1910 and 1920s
International criminalization of marijuana
The “defund the police” message. Terry vs Ohio
Mission statement: Overturn Terry vs Ohio
Roe vs Wade. Enumerated rights under the 9th amendment
Quotes
“When you are not secure in your home, respect to the 4th amendment, that will affect you for the rest of your life.”
“Crying in front of people has made me a happier person.”
“Rich people control the legislature, legislature controls the policing, it's a layer cake.”
“We gotta get the urban youth, black people, to start to say “Overturn Terry”.”
“Terry vs Ohio has supplanted and replaced your 4th amendment right.”
Mentioned:
Elizabeth Wright, League of Nations
JD Rockefeller
Harry Anslinger
Andrew Mellon, Marijuana Tax Act
William Randolph Hearst
Lammot du Pont
Egyptian Musuem of Cairo
The Harrison Act 1914
Tennessee vs Garner 1985
Wilson vs Arkansa 1995
Truth teller, social activist and social media influencer Taversia sits down with JD and Suzy to talk about her journey to becoming a truth teller. As a tiktok sensation, Taversia uses her social media platforms for honesty, justice and unapologetically calls out hypocrisy. She speaks on social justice issues surrounding intersections of race, class, sex and gender.
What You Will Hear:
Taversia’s story from school years to being homeless
Taversia’s mother’s impact
Perception and socio-economic status in her youth
Protecting culture and closed culture
Centering yourself and amplifying voices: Using your privilege
Classism
Being in the LGBTQIA+ community
Being weird
What Taversia had to give up to become a truth teller
Losing friends
Changing the Narrative
Quotes
“A lot of people who are marginalized gain respectability by appealing to the majority and queer people don’t do that.”
“Some of us play for survival, some of us play for status.”
Mentioned:
IG, Tik Tok, Youtube, Twitter: @Taversia
World renowned speaker, wife, activist, motivator and brilliant psychotherapist Carolyn Costin is the world’s leader in eating disorders. She joins JD and Suzy in conversation about her journey from anorexia to becoming one of the world’s most respected therapists, coaches and experts on eating disorders and recovery. Carolyn recovered from anorexia nervosa, earned two masters degrees, became a teacher and began her career as a psychotherapist. After treating her first eating disorder client in 1979, Carolyn recognized it was her calling. Her successful treatment of those with eating disorders led her to bring her philosophy to the public through her speaking, her books and the founding of her unique residential treatment center, Monte Nido.
What You Will Hear:
Carolyn’s story and battle with eating disorders and studies
Eating disorders and their roots defined
Recovery length, process and completion
Creating change in patterns
Stereotypes vs. reality of who has eating disorders
Marginalized communities, diversity and cultural sensitivity with eating disorders
Multicultural lens
Diagnostic criteria vs. real life
Racial trauma, trauma bonding and eating disorders
The healthy and unhealthy voice
Treatment centers vs. individual treatment
Feeling badly during change
Changing the narrative
Becoming a coach
Quotes
“Genes load the gun and environment pulls the trigger.”
“To be recovered you no longer will betray your soul.”
“Being traumatized is when you can’t integrate the affect of an experience.”
Mentioned:
http://rolyn-costin.com/ (CarolynCostin.com)
https://www.montenido.com/ (Monte Nido)
Erin Jones was born in the United States but raised in the Netherlands, where her parents worked as teachers at the American School of The Hague. Erin speaks four languages and returned to the United States in 1989 to attend Bryn Mawr College, where she earned a BA in Comparative Literature with a focus on literatures of the African Diaspora. Erin later earned her teaching certificate at Pacific Lutheran University with endorsements in English, French and ELL. She was named Most Innovative Foreign Language Teacher in 2007 and in 2008 she was selected as the Washington State Milken Educator of the Year. Erin served three years as Assistant State Superintendent for Student Achievement in Washington State, where she was responsible for working with educators and policy makers to create policies and practices that would better serve students of color and students otherwise disenfranchised. Based on a desire to be closer to students and teachers, Erin recently took a position as the Director of Equity and Achievement for the Federal Way School District, a large, very diverse district south of Seattle.
What You Will Hear:
Erin’s story: Born in Minnesota and raised in the Netherlands
The impact of being of mixed race and being raised by white parents
Erin’s first black experience and the aftermath
Cross racial adoption
Learning and understanding what it means to be black in the United States
Being different and being ok with it
Colorism
Mission statement
Seeing beauty and brilliance in people
The importance of being present with people
Civil discourse
School and Politics in America
Running for office
Bridges to Heal Us
Quotes:
“Understand what it means to adopt children of color.”
“I model for my students, you’re never one thing.”
“I’m too big for a box. I refuse to let myself be boxed in.”
“I’m going to show up with all of me.”
“Privilege in itself is not bad, it’s what you choose to use privilege for.”
“I want to create brave spaces where people can become the best version of themselves.”
“It takes courage to be exactly who you are.”
“Political is not democrat or republican. Political is how we talk about power in the world and how people engage with power.”
“Everything about school is political.”
Mentioned:
https://www.amazon.com/Bridges-Heal-US-Stories-Strategies-ebook/dp/B099W9TKP3#:~:text=In%20Bridges%20to%20Heal%20US,conversations%20about%20race%20and%20justice (Bridges to Heal Us)
IG: @Erinin2016
Twitter: @ErinJones2016
Fb: @erinjones2016 @erinjonesdreams
.JD and Suzy sit down with Joshua Cruz to talk about removing the stigma of mental health. Joshua is a queer man of color who is unafraid to dance to the beat of his ownd drum and lip-sync to his favorite songs. Pulling from his own life experiences and using the skills and tools he’s acquired Joshua coaches queer men of color to help reignite self worth and build meaningful relationships as a mental health advocate.
What You Will Hear:
Josh’s identity in his youth.
Josh losing his mother at a young age.
Abuse, shame, pain and the aftermath.
Representation and identity.
Finding the right therapist.
Being honest with yourself.
Identifying as queer.
Reciprocity and healing.
Validation and social media.
White supremacy’s impact on opportunity and services.
Quotes:
“One of my values is to be honest and to be courageous.”
“Our worth sits within us. It’s in our spirit.”
Mentioned:
http://www.wherethesouldgrows.com/ (www.wherethesouldgrows.com)
IG: @wordsbyjoshua
LinkedIN: @joshuamcruz
Youtube: Jomivlog
Recently released from prison, convicted felon Daniel Collins uses his platform on social media to fight for prison reform and activism. JD and Suzy talk to Daniel about his transformation from racist to activist and the detailed experience and lesson of prison life.
What You Will Hear:
Daniel’s story starting from his professional baseball career and his release from that life.
Seeking acceptance and validation through drugs
Mentorship and financial education
Addiction
Using your privilege responsibly
Prison life, racism and closet racism
Believing and accepting others' truths
The history of the prison industrial complex, white supremacist system of injustice
Restorative justice and generations
Lesson learned: To thy own self be true and This too shall pass
Mental health issues in the prison system and how Daniel handled his own
Substance abuse programs in prison
White fragility and where it shows up
Changing the narrative by letting egos go, taking down our barriers and having conversations
Quotes:
“It is so hard to engage with people that don’t agree with you.”
“Sometimes people want to see how much you care before they hear how much you know.”
“When we start to show compassion then it becomes easier to have empathy for people and love for mankind.”
“The system has no heart, it has no soul.”
“We have to rehabilitate and restore the perpetrator to right relations with the victims, themselves, the communities and their families.”
“You can’t fix something that’s broken with something that’s broken.”
“Putting people in prison doesn’t eliminate crime, it just displaces crime. You take crime from the public eye and you just put it inside the system.”
“Knowledge is power but wisdom is application of that knowledge.”
“The drugs are just a symptom of the problem”
Mentioned:
Tiktok and IG @confessionsofaconvict
Rashawn Clark gofundme
The conversation about racism continues. Listen as Jolly Good Ginger breaks down racism, white supremacy, system, histroy and activistm. Jolly Good Ginger was born in the mountains of North Carolina, Jolly was raised, not just around racists, but by them. At age 15 he became an advocate taking his learnings from his upbringing into unlearning, relearning and being an advocate for social justice, civil justice and racism. He has become an internet sensation who speaks his truth. One of the things he says, “People are dying everyday, if you’re not part of the solution, get out of my way, good day.”
What You Will Hear:
No safe spaces for racists.
Calling out racism and challenging the belief systems.
LBGTQ+ parents and causing change.
Cognitive dissonance and white people owning racism.
Recognizing and associating the results of history and systems.
Collective mental health and marginalized community trauma.
Poor white america, generational trauma and dissonance.
The dehumanization of black communities built into the american systems.
Compromising with white america.
Creating an army of unapologetic white people who aren’t going to have a safe space for people to operate in their own bigotry.
White america perceiving they are under attack.
Projecting who we are on other groups.
Being activist.
Changing the narrative
Quotes:
“I don’t need to know what it’s like to be black in America, I just need to believe it exists.”
“Change happens in relationships more than it does from the outside in.”
“We systematically dehumanized black america.”
“White supremacy is this a blanket of protection around white america.”
“Compromised whtie america has given every problem we have in history.”
Mentioned:
Malcolm X
Martin Luther King
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
JD and Suzy unpack the truth about racism and white America with advocate and influencerJolly Good Ginger. Jolly was born in the mountains of North Carolina. He was raised, not just around racists, but by them. At age 15 he became an advocate, taking his learnings from his upbringing into unlearning, relearning and being an advocate for social justice, civil justice and racism. He has become an internet sensation who speaks his truth. One of the things he says, “People are dying everyday, if you’re not part of the solution, get out of my way, good day.”
What You Will Hear:
Early messages Jolly learned
The exception fallacy of being raised by racists.
Jolly’s early experience and knowledge of interracial relationships.
Spending time in a black neighborhood around his mixed siblings.
Questioning what he was told vs what he was seeing and experiencing.
Winning the moral and mental fight.
Calling out family.
Joining the military, bigotry, homophobia, stereotypes and change.
Helping others from racist communities find courage to stand up.
The CEO of no safe spaces for racists. If you see something say something.
Racist systems in the hands of white supremacists.
Racists vs white supremasist.
Understanding racism, anti-racism and the word ally.
Quotes:
“The transition, if you want to be part of the solution, comes when you realized you wasn’t raised around racists, you were raised by them.”
“Your empathy is not solving anything. Save your empathy and fix your cousins.”
“Do I cognitively disassociate myself from reality to accept what i was taught or do simply accept what’s right in front of my face.”
“If you want to sink a boat you have to put holes in the bottom.”
“I want white people to be scared to be racist.”
“White people across the board care more about being called a racist than they do about actual racism.”
“White people subconsciously see racism as a light switch.”
Mentioned:
IG and Twitter @jolly_good_ginger
JD and Suzy talk with the Vigilante Vegan, Stewart Mitchell. Stewart is an advocate for human and animal rights. His journey began when he started to trust his instincts and questioned the business of practices with food companies. This journey led him on this quest. His book, Kayla the Vegan has hit a societal nerve.
What You Will Hear:
Taking care of your family and responsibility to family.
Fatherhood and Stewart’s father
Removing the stigma of mental health
Stewart’s mental health journey and the motivation and impact of his book
Depression and therapy
Becoming vegan
Feeling vulnerable
Hatred and fear
The direct effect of the corporate food system on disenfranchised communities
Stewart’s self published books
Seeing animal as people
Quotes:
“Most vegans and most animal rights activists, they come from pretty damaging backgrounds. They see the innocence in animals.”
“One thing I have a problem with is people that say black lives matter, but they are transphobic. How can you be one and not the other.”
“With a little bit of kindness we can help people make the connections between themselves, animals and nature.”
“We become so advanced in life that we become a detriment to ourselves when now we discriminate against people who don’t look like us. We treat people differently that don’t do the things that we do.”
‘If we could see the personhood in animals it would help us reconnect to who we are in conjunction with animals and the planet.”
Mentioned:
IG @Vigilante_vegan
@theres.beauty.in.the.darkness
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1773137522851312/ (Voice for Change)
https://www.amazon.com/Kayla-Vegan-second-Stewart-Mitchell/dp/172450648X (Kayla the Vegan)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46263457-liberation-summer (Liberation Summer)
Durham City Council member Pierce Freelon is an accomplished Hip Hop/soul/electronic musician and Emmy-award winning producer, director and professor from Durham, NC whose work has been featured on the https://www.today.com/video/pierce-freelon-performs-with-daughter-on-children-s-hip-hop-album-91266117697 (TODAY Show) and at https://www.npr.org/2020/08/01/896920635/pierce-freelon-on-his-childrens-album-and-the-legacy-of-his-creative-black-famil (NPR), https://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/music/musician-celebrates-black-fatherhood-with-new-family-hip-hop-album/ (Parents Magazine) and more. He is the co-founder of the Emmy Award winning PBS web-series Beat Making Lab- an and has taught in the departments of Music and African American Studies at the University of NC at Chapel Hill. Pierce is the writer, composer and co-director of an animated series called History of White People in America, an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival. As the founder of Blackspace, a digital maker space, he has mentored dozens of youth, teaching digital storytelling through music and film. Pierce is the frontman of critically acclaimed Jazz/Hip Hop quartet The Beast and has toured internationally and released a series of albums, EPs, and mixtapes. His debut children's book, Daddy Daughter Day is set for release in 2022. He is the son of famed Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, and the late preeminent architect of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Phil Freelon. Pierce lives in Durham with his wife and their two young children. More at http://piercefreelon.com/ (piercefreelon.com)
.
What You Will Hear:
Pierce’s early childhood environment, influences and lessons
What happens when you merge the world of art with activism
Ancestry, spirituality and community
Nurturing mental health in the black community
White supremacy
Navigating through movement work, politics and activism
Tools of the oppressor
Musical and creative inspirations
Blackspace
White institutions vs black institutions
Racial caste system and the creation of the black and white divide
Changing the narrative
Quotes:
“‘Lift as you climb”
“No is a love word”
“We don’t just carry ancestral trauma, we also carry our ancestral resilience” -Omisade Burney-Scott
“There is no check that you can cut that is worth me devaluing my soul.”
“I wanted that university caliber of resource to be available and accessible to black children at all times…..that’s what they deserve, that’s what we deserve.”
“Everything you touch you change, everything you change, changes you.” - Octavia Butler
“God is change.”
Mentioned:
Social Media @PierceFreelon
Omisade Burney-Scott
Black Girls Guide to Menopause
https://www.piercefreelon.com/b2tf (Black to the Future)
http://theblackspace.org/ (Blackspace)
Octavia Butler
JD and Suzy sit down with television literary and packaging agent at ICM Partners, Ava Greenfield to talk about her experience as one of the first African American female agents in Hollywood. Ava works with leading artists in entertainment including writers, directors, actors, comedians, authors and musicians. She began her career as an agent trainee at the prestigious William Morris Agency where she was the first African American female trainee promoted to motion picture literary agent. Ava joined ICM Partners in 2014. She graduated from The Ohio State University. Though she moved to Los Angeles more than 10 years ago, she remains a lifelong Cleveland sports fan.
What You Will Hear:
Ava’s early exposure and love for tv
The complexity of biraciality
Growing up middle class in Ohio
Moving to Los Angeles and finding work
Hollywood Reporter
The intersectionality of black people/people of color and Hollywood
Authenticity and true commitment
Navigating conversations
Navigating for clients
Trauma Porn
White privilege
Representing clients in an equitable way
Maintaining mental health
Changing the narrative by challenging the narrative and getting comfortable with feeling uncomfortable
Quotes:
“Someone’s gotta help you open the door.”
“If a black woman role exists, there must be a commitment from the buyers to find a black director or a writer for the project.”
“I don’t have the fear that being honest will reflect with me in some way.”
“There are other things in your life that are more important or equally as important as your job.”
“Quality of life is essential.”
“Things fall apart, that’s the business.”
“If something doesn’t go your way or doesn’t come together, give yourself a day to mourn it because you deserve it.”
Mentioned:
ICM
Regina King
Charlamagne Tha God
JD and Suzy sit down with Burt Dubrow, the master and puppeteer of TV talk/variety television, to talk about television’s role, influence and evolution. An Emmy award winning producer, Burt is responsible for bringing the likes of Sally Jessy Raphael, Jerry Springer and Dr. Drew to television. With a passion for promoting critical thinking through programming, he is currently crushing it with his hit show DAILY BLAST LIVE.
What You Will Hear:
What are the most significant changes over the years in television
TV is no longer real
Jerry Springer Show
What is the important part of television's role in relation to society
Daily Blast Live
Social media and television
Gathering a crowd and formats
Reality television
White privilege
Greatest life regret; Education and relationships
Giving back. Personal mentoring
The abuse of opinions in news channels
Changing the narrative: Getting people to think another way in another direction. Make them wonder.
Quotes:
“Somehow, we have to move people. That means we’ve got to get them to feel something.”
“If you’ve got good talent I would like to think an audience will find you.”
“What’s going on today has changed me a great deal and made me put a magnifying glass and watch everything much, much closer and make sure all voices are heard”
“Being white gives me a privilege that others don’t have, and where as I wasn’t as aware of it before, I am very aware of it now.”
“School got in my way.”
“Whatever we do today must be relevant.”
Mentioned:
Mark Kimpton
Jerry Springer
Daily Blast Live
Double Dare
TGIF
Phil Donahue
Johnny Carson
David Letterman
Host Chats
Ted Turner
JD and Suzy are joined by Tony award winning actress Marissa J Winokur known for her role in Hairspray, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing with the Stars. In this episode JD and Suzy talk to Marissa about her journey through cancer, weight loss, COVID, the challenges of parenting during turbulent times and of course, changing the narrative. What You Will Hear: Marissa’s journey Radical hysterectomy Lessons learned through her cancer journey Effects of COVID Weight loss, health journey and Hollywood Explaining racism and white supremacy to children Managing mental health Prevalent messages about identity and self growing up Tik tok, Instagram and facebook posting and triggers The importance of listening to other people’s stories
Quotes: “Being proactive is the most important thing and that’s what saved my life.” “After cancer it wasn't about becoming the most famous person in the world and making the most money. It was like, I want to have these experiences, I want to live my best life and it’s not about the money and the fame.” “Our journeys can happen much faster than people think.” “Changing the narrative is about listening.” Mentioned: IG @Marissajaretwinokur Fb @marissajwinokur Twtr @marrisajwinokur
Michelle Meow is a radio personality and a prominent voice for the LGBTQ community. Michelle is the creator and host of the Michelle Meow Show, Michelle's goal and mission are to construct opportunities for people to listen in to deep conversations to develop an understanding and use empathy. The Michelle Meow Show can be heard in San Francisco and nationally through the Commonwealth Club and on KPCWTV and channel 44 in San Francisco. Michelle has been the co-host of the SF pride parade broadcast and she served as the president of their board of directors from 2014-2018. She is a self described LGBTQ+ history geek, informations sponge and lover not a fighter.
What You Will Hear:
Michelle’s family and early influences growing up in Stockton, CA.
Trauma as a kid of a refugee family, growing up poor, single parent home, person of color and queer.
Obstacles Michelle has faced along her journey.
Influence and motivation to start the Michelle Meow Show.
Financial support, investment and resources for LGBTQ initiatives.
Fundraising.
The narratives we create for ourselves. Being low-key.
Intersectionality between racism, white supremacy and mental health within the LGBTQ community.
Systemic phobias, recognizing, acknowledging and believing.
Anti-racism, ending racism and doing the work.
Middle child experience, impact and overcoming.
Being the child of immigrant parents.
Quotes:
“Everyday that you don’t fight for yourself will be the day that you’re silenced, and for many queer people we know silence equals death.”
“The gift of your trauma is your resiliency.”
“I’m actually a professional extrovert.”
“If we really want to break the cycle of racism in this country we really have to come together to fight some of these institutionalized ways of keeping racism alive.”
“I’ll never, ever let go of the fact that it’s human to create a foundation for people to feel comfortable enough for them to tell you their truth and for you to believe it.”
“You always have to evolve and recreate yourself, especially as an LGBTQ person and an artist.”
Mentioned:
Mayor Michael Tubbs
https://www.yelp.com/biz/barrish-bail-bonds-san-francisco (Barrish Bail Bonds)
Melonie and Melorra Green
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/michelle-meow-show (Commonwealthclub.org/mms)
https://www.michellemeow.com/ (Michelle Meow Show)
KPCW Sunday 10:30pm
Internationally acclaimed writer, performer, content creator, media strategist, podcaster, singer/songwriter and columnist Siouxsie Q joins us to talk about intersectionality of politics and activism within the adult film industry. As a content creator and writer Siouxsie uses her platform to bring awareness and create action focused on feminism and sex worker rights. What You Will Hear: Who is Siouxsie Q? The intersection between politics, adult film and activism. Political aspects of being a porn star. Prop 60. Sex worker rights. Criminalization of survival. Combating brown and black bodies being feticized while being minimized by racism. Mental and emotional health in the adult entertainment industry. Polyamory. Behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Whore Next Door column. Prop 35. Content production. Dismantling white supremacy
Quotes: “We have to remove the excuses that police have to harass and profile and harm our communities.” “Elected representatives are largely uninformed about the realities of the work that so many people are doing now more than ever.” “It’s a habit to find the truth in any situation.” Mentioned: IG and TikTok @youramericansweetheart Twitter @youamericansw https://youramericanbabe.com/ (Your American Sweetheart) https://www.patreon.com/whorecast (Thewhorecast.com) Thedaddyissue.com Free Speech Coalition https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780990557159 (Truth Justice and the American Whore) The Whore Next Door Modelcentro Peghim.com Girlbullies.com Fancentro https://onlyfans.com/siouxsieq (Onlyfans)
Lizzy Grossman found her passion for wellness after struggling with her weight for years. After successfully loosing 100 pounds she set her focus on helping other people live their best life one mindful choice at a time. Lizzy is a personal coach for WW. She has always loved cooking and has found passion in reimagining recipes to meet healthy habits.
What You Will Hear:
Lizzy’s role at WW formerly known as Weight Watchers.
Lizzy’s personal weight loss journey.
WW’s diversity.
Fixing the root instead of constant dieting.
Therapy and mental health during the weight loss process.
Why weight and eating disorders carry so much shame.
Hitting rock bottom.
Education and learning.
Advice for weight loss.
The kindest place on the internet.
Healthy boundaries
Quotes:
“Changing how I viewed myself and how I took care of myself changed my life.”
“So often today we are programmed to turn to food for every emotion.”
“Strong is the new sexy.”
“Do not focus on the scale as much as you focus on every other win around you.”
“I don’t let what the scale says make me decide I’m not going to make healthy choices the rest of the day.”
Mentioned:
IG: @lizzysirgey
https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/ (WW)
Dr. Demetri is a board certified, fellowship trained and award winning surgeon in facial plastic & reconstructive surgery. Dr. Demetri has authored over 30 peer reviewed publications and book chapters. Following his Columbia University education from which he graduated Cum Laude, Dr. Demetri attended the https://med.ufl.edu/ (University of Florida College of Medicine). As a third year medical student, he was awarded a highly competitive Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship. This allowed him to dedicate a year to research in head and neck cancer reconstruction at the world-renowned https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/the_johns_hopkins_hospital/ (Johns Hopkins Hospital). Prior to graduating from medical school with Honors in Research, he was also awarded the George T. Singleton Prize for excellence in Head & Neck Surgery. Dr. Demetri is part of the esteemed https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/19/08/n14282743/dr-demetri-arnaoutakis-partners-with-the-exclusive-haute-beauty-network (Haute Beauty Network). This exclusive publication represents an elite clientele of aesthetic physicians, with only two doctors in every major market.
What You Will Hear:
Dr. Demetri’s inspiration and career path.
Body dysmorphic disorder, psychiatric evaluation and ethics in plastic surgery.
Cultural appropriation and the evolution of social media influence on younger patients.
Psychiatric evaluations before plastic surgery and enforcing ethical practice.
Contributing back to society.
Beauty tips.
Hair transplants, propecia and finasteride.
The importance of a good plastic surgeon.
Unity for change
Quotes:
“Do no harm”
“The number one thing is to listen to your patient and to hear their concerns.”
“It’s sad but greed can become a factor, but there’s also ethics to this and you want to make sure you’re doing the right thing for someone.”
“Young people are easily influenced by celebrities.”
Mentioned:
https://www.drdemetrimd.com/ (Dr. Demetri)
IG @drdemetri
Fb @Demetri Arnaoutakis
The conversation continues with self described edutainer, George Lee aka Conscious Lee, mixes education and entertainment to be purposely provocative. As an activist, educator, social media sensation, consultant, speaker, podcaster, family man, transformational icon, Conscious uses his platform to educate and entertain with the mission of spurring critical thinking. Conscious holds a Bachelors in African and African American Studies and a Masters in both Human Resource and Diversity Development. Spark your critical thinking with JD and Conscious as they discuss a wide variety of topics including gaslighting, racism, afro-pessimism, black culture, white supremacy, white fragility, LGBTQIA+, black censorship and trauma.
What You Will Hear:
Post traumatic slave syndrome, mental health, racial trauma, psychological manipulation.
How does mainstream media work against black and brown people.
Independence and ownership in the black community.
Black twitter, the commodification of blackness, black fungibility.
LGBTQIA+ community, accountability and self reflection.
Changing the narrative: 3 questions
Why should I care?
What is the motive?
Who is writing?
At what cost do you value representation?
America is a big ass piggy bank analogy.
The value of skin color.
Quotes:
“You should be able to see yourself as the bad guy or the bad person.”
“I’m not scared to be wrong.”
“We celebrate black people that are integrated into white spaces and places.”
“Correlation is not causation.”
“Just because you can be integrated or heard in a space doesn't mean you are valued in that space.”
“We are lost in the sauce of integration and representation.”
Mentioned:
Unheard
https://georgeleespeaks.com/ (Georgeleespeaks.com)
The Chop Up Show Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAq6Qm-V3S_UCXE7fQ7pP7g (Youtube)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-chop-up-show/id1525106253 (Apple )
Spotify
@ConsciousLee
@Theconsciouslee
Self described edutainer, George Lee aka Conscious Lee, mixes education and entertainment to be purposely provocative. As an activist, educator, social media sensation, consultant, speaker, podcaster, family man, transformational icon, Conscious uses his platform to educate, entertain and encourage critical thinking. Conscious holds a Bachelors in African and African American Studies and a Masters in both Human Resource and Diversity Development. Spark your critical thinking with JD and Conscious as they discuss a wide variety of topics including gaslighting, racism, afro-pessimism, black culture, white supremacy, white fragility, LGBTQIA+, black censorship and trauma.
What You Will Hear:
Spurring critical thoughts through combining education, entertainment and engagement to spark critical thinking about current issues in all subjects.
White fragility, racism and white supremacy.
Owning racism and privilege.
What is gaslighting and what does it trigger.
The privilege of not knowing as possible deniability or a weapon.
Black censorship.
Afro-pessimism and black culture.
Emotional gain vs economic gain.
Addiction to violence, policing and power.
Private prisons.
Political awareness and younger generations.
Quotes:
“White supremacy in itself triggers white fragility.”
“Power is the ability to define a phenomenon and make it act in a desired manner.” - Huey P. Newton
“Power is always operating off of a paradox or contradictions.”
“Black labor gets separated from black flesh.”
“It should be the new norm, being politically aware of who is using our tax dollars and how they’re using it.”
“White people listen to white people but black people are the ones who are going to teach them how to get this work started, how to really get in there and get your hands dirty, cause that’s our history, that’s what we’ve done. It takes a lot for us to get where we are.”
‘Power only wants to listen to power and privilege only wants to listen to privilege.”
Mentioned:
IG: @Conscious Lee
Youtube: @The Conscious Lee
Janja Lalich, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and educator specializing in cults and extremist groups, with a particular focus on charismatic relationships, political and other social movements, ideology and social control, and issues of gender and sexuality. She has been a consultant to educational, mental health, business, media, and legal professionals, as well as having worked with current members, former members, and families of members of controversial groups.
A former Fulbright scholar, Dr. Lalich is Professor Emerita of Sociology at California State University, Chico, where in 2007 she was awarded the Professional Achievement Honor. Also, Dr. Lalich is the founder and director of the Center for Research on Influence and Control. She received a B.A. with Honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has a Master’s in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California.
Dr. Lalich has written and lectured extensively and is author, coauthor, or editor of numerous books, articles, and chapters. Her most recent book is Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships (Bay Tree Publishing, 2006), a fully-revised and expanded edition of her first book, Captive Hearts, Captive Minds, which has been the number-one book used by former cult members and their friends and families to better understand cult experiences and their consequences.
What You Will Hear:
Strategy used to groom and recruit cult members.
Principles of influence.
Dr. Lalich’s personal experience in a cult.
Vulnerability and idealism in relation to cult recruitment.
Cultural differences in cults and types of cults.
Is Donald Trump a cult leader?
Cult on a national scale.
Abusive relationships and cults. Psychological entrapment.
How cults keep their members obedient. Transcendent belief systems.
Separating families
Older cults vs modern day cults.
Horrendous cults.
Consistency in new cults.
Advice on what to do if you might be a cult recruit.
Pandemic and cults.
Quotes:
“People get recruited at vulnerable points in their lives.”
“If there’s any common denominator among who gets in to cults, it’s idealism.”
“Most cults have answers to life’s biggest questions and shapes members in to believers.”
“We need to get the American public, especially young people, back to critical thinking.”
Mentioned:
http://cultresearch.org/ (Cultresearch.org)
https://gretchenday.com/ (Gretchen Day)
Chef, comedian, actress and show host Alex Thomopoulos joins JD and Suzy this week to talk about life in the spotlight, activism, authenticity and her newest ventures. Combining her love of comedy and food, Alex hosts the PBS show Moveable Feast with Relish.
What You Will Hear:
Alex’s trajectory from comedian to chef.
Using your privilege and platform responsibly.
Everyday accountability.
What pushes Alex’s activism.
Motivating people without alienating them.
Creating a voice of authenticity on social media.
Amplifying voices.
Odd DMs.
Moveable Feast and Alex’s other recent ventures.
New England.
Farmer Maria crush.
Quotes:
“Food and laughter evoke the same emotions in people.”
“When I see injustice or I see people being treated not fairly, I can’t ignore that.”
“I’m playing the long game on social media not just the short game and really building an authentic voice.”
“I feel it, I’ll say it and I don’t care.”
“I live in LA where nothing is real and nobody is nice.”
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.”
Mentioned:
IG: @Alextcooks
https://www.pbs.org/food/shows/moveable-feast-with-relish/ (Moveable Feast with Relish (PBS))
Join JD and Suzy as they dive in deep with Dr. Chris Hoff talking about racism, white fragility, white priviledge in the mental health world. Chris is a storyteller, champion of curiosity, and author, entrepreneur, an innovator and educator and founder and host of the radical therapist podcast. Director of the California Family Institute in Costa Mesa and non-profit organization that provides desperately needed no and low cost care counseling for the community. What You Will Hear: Chris’s early education, perils, inspiration and journey toward therapy. The title The Radical Therapist. Chris’s 2017 Youtube video and quote about the need to start having difficult conversations about white fragility and white privilege. The psychological impact of racism. The Radical Therapist podcast and education. Ethics and racism in therapy and the current state of affairs. Being explicit about who you are and where you stand. Hate and criticism. California commission mental health services percentages. System support for mental health services and politics. California Family Institute. Knowing who you can and can’t do therapy with. Chris’s own white identity then and now. Stepping in to help your community.
Quotes: “We need to start having difficult conversations about ace, white fragility and white privilege.” “The conversation around race can get tricky.” ‘Therapists should be paid for their work….therapists are going to have to be politicians.” “Everything has to be conscious.” “To change the world I gotta change myself.” Mentioned: http://www.theradicaltherapist.com/podcast.html (The Radical Therapist Podcast) http://www.californiafamilyinstitute.org/ (California Institute ) https://drchrishoff.com/ (DrChrisHoff.com)
Best selling author and psychic medium Lisa Williams, joins JD and Suzy to talk about her life as a medium. In her youth Lisa was unaware that her ability as a medium was a unique gift. It was through a myriad of life experiences Lisa realized that her calling was to help others and change their lives, connecting those from this world to the next, giving readings with guidance and insight from the world of Spirit and bringing comfort and healing to those who are grieving. Adding to her titles as a host of 2 television shows, a podcaster, a teacher and the creator of her own International School of Spiritual Development, Lisa recently released her first guided meditation available on Amazon and itunes: Vasa a Guided Journey Home.
What You Will Hear:
What is a medium?
The Pea Story.
People of color in the medium world.
Ethics in diagnosing or reading someone.
Learning to shut things off.
One of Lisa’s most compelling readings.
Forensic cases.
Terrifying moments and giving people hope.
The purpose of being psychic medium.
Giving back
Lisa Williams International School of Spiritual Development
What does change the narrative mean to Lisa.
Quotes:
“Having people of color in the medium world…...it shows people that there is no stigma attached to what we do.”
“Most people can’t remember what they had for dinner last night, but they can remember verbatim what a psychic medium said to them 20 years ago.”
“As a psychic as a medium it is about giving people hope. It is about lifting their spirits, it is about giving them energy, resolution, comfort, healing.”
“My passion is enhancing and empowering people to do the readings world wide, to get the message out there.”
“People remember how you make them feel.”
Mentioned:
https://www.lisawilliams.com/about (International School of Spiritual Development)
https://www.lisawilliams.com/ (Lisawilliams.com)
https://www.amazon.com/Vasa-Lisa-Williams-Barry-Goldstein/dp/B08VF6LTLQ (Vasa a Guided Journey Home)
From Executive Producer of Entertainment Tonight for 17 years to launching The Talk on CBS daytime to going back to college in his 50s studying and teaching communications at California State University Northridge, to his newest venture as Head of Communications and Talent for Project Angel Food, Brad Bessey has lived a life of glamour and opulence all while remaining true to himself, his values and his truth. JD and Suzy sit down to talk with Brad about his experience in Hollywood and his dealings with racism, sexism and the lgbt community.
What You Will Hear:
Launching and being Executive Producer of The Talk
Sharon Osbourne and recent racism controversy
Media and systemic racism
Hiring the first black host of Entertainment Tonight.
Having representation at the table is not enough.
The importance and challenges of diversity in all levels of production.
The Sell Out factor
Rape culture and challenging toxic masculinity
Intersectionality and racism in the gay community
Heteronormative white culture
Ways that Brad has been humbled through his experiences.
Trends of dehumanization.
Being the only gay member of his family and an anomile in Hollywood.
Quotes:
“In my defenselessness, my safety lies.”
“The media is one of the biggest problems in systemic racism.”
“You need people of color in leadership roles who are not afraid that they will lose their job if they are true to themselves and to their culture.”
“You don’t need to say stop asian hate, you need to say stop white supremacy.”
“We are not successful yet in dealing with these issues of systemic racism, sexism and violence against our trans community.”
“Changing the narrative is a matter of survival.”
Mentioned:
https://www.angelfood.org/ (Project Angel Food)
Kevin Fazier
Nischelle Turner
Aimee Stephens
Known for dressing icons, Bradley Bayou is a true renaissance man. As an artist, a fashion designer, best selling author, tv star, father, partner and interior designer, Bradley found his calling through a serendipitous chain of events. At a young age, he quickly became one of the most sought after designers among buyers like Fred Segal, Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th and Barneys. Bradley became the go-to designer for superstar black women after dressing Halle Berry. He has designed clothes for Queen Latifah, Monique, Oprah, Beyonce and many more. Inspired by the trends he was seeing, his experience and the scientific way he looks at design Bradley published his first book “The Science of Sexy” as a guide for women of all shapes and sizes to help them dress their best and boost confidence through fashion. We talk to Bradley about his journey in design and his observations of racism within the design and gay communities. What you will hear
Bradley’s love of art.
How Bradley became a young, top designer.
Becoming the go-to designer for black female stars.
Similarities of racism in the design world and gay world
White privilege.
The Science of Sexy.
Exuding confidence.
What does changing the narrative mean to Bradley.
Mentioned
https://www.amazon.com/Science-Sexy-Unique-Figure-System/dp/1592402607 (The Science of Sexy)
Brian Dobbins is one of Hollywood’s most prolific managers and producers. He began his career at United Talent Agency where he amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, he eventually started his own agency, Artists First. Using his years of experience, knowledge of development and passion for helping the unseen be seen, Brian has developed and impressive client list of young talent. Brian currently serves as Executive Producer on the award winning ABC series “Black-ish” as well as critically acclaimed “Grown-ish” and “Mixed-ish”. Brian’s producing credits also include Fox’s TV series “Do Not Disturb,” the Oxygen cable network series “Campus Ladies,” ABC and 20th Century Fox’s TV pilot “Adopted,” and the film “The Sea of Trees”. In this episode Brian shares his unique experience as a black man in Hollywood.
What you will hear
Brian's favorite memories.
An accident resulting in Brian learning the value of hard work, dedication and perseverance at an early age.
Being the first member of his family to go to college and his college experience.
Brian finds his passion for film and television.
Navigating Hollywood as a young black man in the 90s.
Realizing corporate structure was not a good fit.
Brian’s perspective on the current state of the United States.
Focus and work during the pandemic
The success of Black-ish.
The beauty of diversity.
Ensuring that there is diversity in Hollywood.
Protecting the artists and the fun part of Brian’s job.
The importance and impact of education.
Quotes
“I’ve learned there’s a way to be real and not say everything that’s on your mind.”
“Community is far more important than what’s going on around the world, actually, there’s problems everywhere.”
“If you laugh and your mouth is open, I say you are ready to be fed.”
“The more specific you are, sometimes, in telling a story, the more broadly you appeal to people because underneath that, we are all the same.”
“I don’t wake up everyday for people to tell me yes, I wake up everyday for somebody to tell me know.”
“When you are working with artists you are working with people who inspire change.”
“Artists are important to society.”
Mentioned
http://artistsfirst-la.com/ (Artists First)
Black-ish
Mixed-ish
grown-ish
Writer and Director Victor Gabriel joins us for a conversation about his life experience from a life of struggle, poverty and homelessness to becoming a therapist as well as a writer and director in Hollywood. Victor holds and MFA and has worked as a marriage and family therapist with survivors of trauma in Compton, Watts and South Central. As a graduate of the American Film Institute Vic has made it a mission to share the stories of those affected by systemic racism and oppression through film. His latest short film “Black Boys Can’t Cry” is currently being shown in festivals.
What you will hear
Victor’s upbringing and story.
Why should people know who Victor is.
Motivation and concept of Victor’s unique storytelling style.
Victor’s mission to connect with people.
The black man’s current experience in America.
The effects of oppression.
What white people need to understand about oppressive tactics that are perceived as justice.
Vulnerability.
The differences between the black male and female’s experience.
How Vic’s mental health lense informs his creative lense.
The advantage Vic had in film school as a result of his life and trauma.
How Vic’s need to create influenced his going from therapy grad school to film school.
Hollywood
Vic’s inspiration.
Quotes
“Vic is magic.”
“Oppressed populations are fighting over a crumb and trying to win something that nobody wants to win.”
“White supremacy is sociopathic.”
Mentioned
Mens trauma group
victor.k.gabriel@gmail.com
IG @weherekingsreign
Author, screenwriter and playwright Amy Ferris is a champion for women. After dealing with self esteem issues and suicidality throughout her life, Amy continuously searched for a community to help her find confidence, courage and hope. Amy has focused her time and energy on helping and encouraging other women. Her commitment to writing encouraging posts on facebook was spawned after one of her encouraging posts went viral. Realizing the need for encouragement and inspiration Amy has written inspiring posts daily for the las 9 years. Amy’s commitment is motivated by her mission to help every single woman to awaken to their greatness.
What you will hear
The evolution of Amy’s facebook presence and commitment.
Amy’s experience with suicidality
Becoming a Buddhist
Depression and trauma.
Amy’s passion and motivation to help women.
Feminist vs. Womanist
Reaching a diverse community of women and how communication varies depending on race and socio-economic differences.
The miseducation of America. White supremacy
Fear.
Living one’s truth.
Toxic femininity.
Ageing and the advice we would give our younger selves.
Women empowerment and acknowledging being enough and having enough.
The secret of marital success and loving good.
The Story Summit Writers School.
If you had one super power.
Quotes
“People need to be encouraged, people are looking for inspiration, people are looking for ways to get out of bed in the morning.”
“We all need to be inspired.”
“We all want to be part of a community. We all want to know that someone has our back and not stabbing us in the back.”
“Depression is not something that comes and goes like the flu.”
“Every mistake I have ever made has an opportunity to be turned into my mission.”
“We stand on the back of black men and women. The truth is white men were in power while black men and women were building this country.”
“Who you’re going to be at 65 is going to be the woman you have always wanted to be….at 10, at 13, at 14, at 18.”
Mentioned
https://www.storysummit.us/ (The Story Summit Writers School)
https://debraengle.com/books/the-only-little-prayer-you-need/ (The Only Prayer You Need - Debra Engle)
We sit down with producers Julie Stern and Curnal Achilles Ausilio to talk about Hollywood. Recently featured in Forbes magazine, Julie’s take on leadership, humanity, humility and hard work have made her one of the most highly respected and beloved producers in Hollywood. Growing up with a behind the scenes look into Hollywood Julie worked her way up from intern to production assistant to eventually to running production for major networks such as OWN, Lifetime and companies like Rese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Named “The General” by Oprah and the Duchess of York, Julie’s style of producing has made her a highly respected producer in Hollywood. Curnal Achilles Ausilio went from a successful acting career to directing and producing. While working as an actor, Curnal took an interest in the process by which a show is produced and eventually leading him to study production and becoming a producer producing shows like The Millionaire matchmaker. He is currently executive producer of The Profit on CNBC and is passionate about his role as a mentor to young Hollywood.
What you will hear
What is a producer and the many roles of a producer.
Julie and Curnal’s journey to becoming producers
Scary and challenging situations Julie and Curnal have faced.
Scripted and unscripted reality tv.
Diversity and equity in competitive reality shows
Julie and Curnal’s career goals.
The producer’s creative process and the amount of time, effort and teamwork it takes to produce.
White privilege, male privilege and gender equality in Hollywood.
How do you become a producer.
Mindset
Quotes
“Don’t ever forget who you are and take that time out and check in with yourself.”-Julie Stern
“Start off by doing the thing you really want to do.” -Curnal Achilles
“Any opportunity that comes your way, go for it.”-Julie Stern
“You have to have a supreme confidence and yet not have an inflated ego.”- Curnal Achilles
“Don’t miss your opportunity to humanize something.”- Julie Stern
Mentioned
Facebook Curnal Achilles Aulisio
Henry Mauldin is a producer and talent manager. His company Hendar Media develops and produces award winning scripted and non-scripted film, television and digital content. Henry recently produced “The Lucky Ones”. A film directed by Debra Wilson that tells the love story of a couple diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Listen to our conversation with Henry about the film and how it spotlights the mental health issues in the black community.
What you will hear
“The Lucky Ones” documentary film plot and purpose.
Schizophrenia definition and the invisibility and stigma of mental illness in the BIPOC community
Economics, one of the major issues in the black community.
Systemic problems that play into the mishandling of mental health episodes.
The difficulty of getting funding for the creation of “The Lucky Ones” and the depth of that struggle.
The effect of Reagan’s policies on the mental health community and homelessness.
The love story in front of and behind the camera between the couple featured in “The Lucky Ones.”
Barriers that Henry has encountered and how he has navigated them as a black creator.
Quotes
“The lower your socio-economic class, the harder it is to get treatment and the harder it is for people to understand what is going on.”
“Our largest mental health facilities are jails.”
“Systems are failing people beginning in elementary school.”
“Police aren’t equipped and yet they are the first ones called when there is a mental health crisis in a community they aren’t from and they aren’t connected to.”
HenDar’s upcoming projects.
The takeaway Henry is hoping people will get from “The Lucky Ones”.
Mentioned
HenDar Media
Debra A. Wilson
https://www.theluckyonesdoc.com/ (The Lucky Ones trailer)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424871/ (Butch Mystique)
Hazel Scott
Michelle Palmer and Barri Brown sit down with us to discuss their experience with addiction and rehabilitation. Michelle and Barri became friends after being sponsored by the same person in their Alcoholics Anonymous program at a time when both were looking to change their lives. Struggling with drug and alcohol addiction coupled with multiple incarcerations, both women lived for many years denying their addiction. Listen in as they describe their journey from addiction to recovery and their efforts to help others through their recovery.
What you will hear
Barri and Michelle’s substance abuse and addictions.
Recognizing and admitting one’s addiction and level of dysfunction.
Gaining clarity and the willingness to commit to a recovery program.
Lessons learned from addiction.
Advice for those struggling with addiction during the pandemic.
Alcoholic Anonymous program then vs now.
The consequences of class and race in regards to getting help with addiction.
Denial
The success of 12 step programs.
Quotes
“Uncover, discover and discard.”
“Just don’t drink or use no matter what, pick up the phone and call someone.”
“We (black and brown brothers and sisters) are more likely to go to jail before we are offered recovery.”
“Addiction is a disease of denial.”
“Don’t leave 5 minutes before the miracle happens. The miracle is when you become willing.”
Human rights activist, speaker, entrepreneur and innovator Buck Angel joins JD and Suzy to talk about his journey as a transgender man and mental health in the transgender community. Born a female in the 60’s, Buck struggled psychologically, physically and emotionally trying to find and understand his own identity throughout his childhood and adolescence. Living through a roller coaster of eating disorders, suicide attempts, psych wards, drug abuse, prostitution and depression, Buck attributes his successful transition to having medically transitioned with a therapist. Buck Angel’s message of empowerment through self-acceptance and encouragement of everyone to be comfortable in their own skin has struck a passionate chord with people around the world. As he demonstrated in recent appearances at Yale, Cornell and many other universities and events, Buck inspires people to think outside the box and is educating an entire generation on the fluidity of sexuality and identity politics.
What you will hear
Buck’s early life as a female and the physical, emotional, social and mental struggles of gender identity at a time when it was not a socially acceptable or common topic.
Buck’s suicide attempts
Modeling, homelessness, prostitution, drugs and rehab.
The absence of mental health being mandatory in people’s transition and the adverse effects.
Generational differences in the process of transitioning.
De-transitioning.
Intersectionality of race in the transgender community.
Buck’s personal journey learning about compassion, abundance, communication and education.
The effects of celebrity and the expectation of representation.
Sexual wellness.
Continued activism and speaking out.
Quotes
“My therapist saved my life.”
“If you don’t talk to a person who has the ability to find out what’s going on with you, you may be making the wrong choice.”
“If you let people leave in peace, you watch the world uplift.”
“White people need to stand up.”
“Do the one thing you do, do it well and it will speak to many.”
Mentioned
https://buckangel.com/ (Buckangel.com)
IG: @BuckAngel
Twitter @BuckAngel
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officialbuckangel/ (@OfficialBuckAngel)
Former LAPD officer and author Brian Bentley grew up in Los Angeles. Raised with the principles and importance of contributing to the community, Brian focused on a career in law enforcement with the goal of bridging the gap between community and the police. Experiencing discrimination, racism, sexism and corruption during his time in training and on the job motivated Brian to write his books. Publishing his first book, One Time: The Story of A South Central Los Angeles Police Officer, with the purpose of improving the community and giving other officers the courage to speak out resulted in Brian being terminated and facing charges. Brian was the subject of an extensive investigation that included over three hundred allegations of misconduct and seven months of surveillance. Brian has written three books, One Time: The Story of a South Central Los Angeles Police Officer, Honor without Integrity and Hit Me Once, Hit Me Twice. He keeps a busy schedule hosting the Starting Point podcast, continuing to write and coaching high school track.
What you will hear
Brian’s shocking experiences of discrimination early on in his police academy training.
The continued discrimination as Brian began working for LAPD.
The negative effects of Brian’s experiences as a rookie officer.
Social acceptance of anger issues amongst police officers.
What motivated Brian to write his book including the murder of his colleague Kevin Gaines by another colleague.
The backlash Brian received after publishing his first book.
The culture of violence, racism, sexism and anger within law enforcement
The knowledge that police officers can get away with police brutality and murder.
Police officers are meticulously taught how to circumvent citizen’s civil rights.
Violence addiction.
Veterans within law enforcement.
Psychological effects of being a police officer.
Brian wrote his book with the purpose of improving the community and giving other police officers the courage to speak out against the malfeasance within law enforcement.
Fear and retaliation within law enforcement.
The need for change.
How Brian was able to overcome his experiences and maintain his mental health
Black Lives Matter
Quotes
“As a black police officer you can’t go anywhere and make a formal complaint.”
“Police officers don’t feel like they can get away with brutality and murder, they know they can.”
“Police officers are experts in circumventing your civil rights.”
“Police officers suppress their emotions and their morals.”
“It’s a tough job psychologically.”
“The lack of access and poverty breeds crime.”
“Law enforcement is not what suppresses or stops crime.”
Mentioned
https://didihirsch.org/ (Didi Hirsch)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ziXzWD-p7X4kBx1ZIdvHg/featured (Youtube Brian S. Bentley)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-time-brian-s-bentley/1102499991 (One Time : The Story of a South Central Los Angeles Police Officer)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honor-without-integrity-brian-s-bentley/1006845046 (Honor Without Integrity)
https://www.amazon.com/Hit-Me-Once-Twice/dp/1890632015 (Hit Me Once, Hit Me Twice.)
JD and Suzy take a moment to reflect on how they met and what prompted them to create a podcast unlike any other mental health podcast.