Brave Space LIVE

Radical self love: Black and queer joy with Madison the Blue Haired Unicorn

In our last episode of Season 3, we are joined by our producers (name of guest & title) in a conversation centering Black & Queer joy. We talk about what it means to be Black and Queer - two targeted identities, and their journey to claim (or reclaim) "radical" self-love in the intersections.

Madison Butler is a New Englander at heart but moved to Austin in 2017. Her work is focused around creating equitable spaces and creating scalable strategies to achieve psychological safety. She is an outspoken advocate for mental health, removing stigma around trauma, DEI and the ability to be "human at work". She is passionate about facilitating hard conversations through storytelling, data and tough empathy. She works with companies to help transform their organization into spaces that are safe for everyone. Through this work she helps embed the principles and practices of equity into the DNA of your business structure and processes. Madison is committed to deconstructing the status quo and rebuilding corporate America, one organization at a time. Her mission is to ensure that no one ever feels like corporate spaces were not made for them, and they can live, work, and exist out loud. She is a start-up enthusiast and is passionate about building inclusive teams from the ground up with early stage companies. Madison is committed to helping change the narrative around what it looks like to be “human at work”, and hoping to help alleviate unconscious bias in corporate America.

The Ceilings of Patriarchy: Glass, Concrete, & Bamboo

You've heard of the glass ceiling, which describes the invisible (are they really?) barriers women face when advancing in their professional careers or organizational hierarchies. But did you know that racialized women (or we can use the term women of color, feel free to change as you see it) face different barriers made up of completely different (and more solid) material? The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the percentage of women participating in the workforce in 2022 was 56.8. This means that women make up more than half of the nation's workforce, and yet the playing field remains unbalanced. In this episode we talk about the concrete and bamboo ceilings for women of color with (name of guest & title), and how we can use our (invisible) sledgehammers to shatter them.

Grief, Death, & Dying with Rev. Yung Me Morris

Cultures across the world deal with death differently, and the United States is no exception. How do we practice liberation and anti-oppression when we are grieving?

 

This week our special guest is hospice chaplain Rev. Yung Me Morris. When it comes to death, we often associate the concept of a dignified death with medical aid in dying, referencing physician-assisted suicide. These conversations often neglect other methods of preserving dignity in dying, or more accurately, living. Research shows that people who receive quality/holistic end of life care live longer and happier lives until they pass on. This week we discuss the difficult topics of grief, death, and dying, exploring the importance of palliative care and current approaches to end of life care structures in the US Healthcare system that center the wholeness of a human being.

 

Rev. Yung Me Suh Morris is a First Generation Korean American who was born in Seoul, South Korea. Together with her parents and younger brother, she emigrated to the United States, Chicago, IL, specifically, where she grew up speaking Mid-western English, navigating multiple cultures and developing a deep abiding love for deep dish pizza and lasagna.

 

Rev. Morris earned her BA and MA in Education Ministries from Wheaton College and earned her MDiv from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Rev. Morris’ ministry includes pastoring parishes, chaplaincy in hospitals and hospice, and street chaplaincy with the unhoused.

Rev. Morris and her spouse, Morgan, have three children (two out of the nest and one nearly out) and three miniature poodles (that will never leave home) in West Chester, PA.

 

Among her interests, Rev. Morris is a Certified Massage Therapist specializing in Deep Tissue, Trauma Release and Acupressure. She is also a Reiki Master Teacher, yoga practitioner and dances because the pleasure of it connects her deeply to Spirit.

From Punishment to Compassion: Black Parenting in the US with Joy Marilie

How do we imagine a future where discipline and nonviolence seamlessly coexist? In this week's episode we discuss a more compassionate, radically empathetic and neurodevelopmentally-informed approach to parenting and raising children.

Education expert and former teacher Joy Marilie joins us this week for an all Black-women conversation as we talk about the gentle parenting movement and how we can create safer practices and spaces for our children to learn and grow. Joy Marilie Jackson is a former teacher and school leader with over 20 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education. She now works as an education consultant in NYC schools and non-profit organizations, and as a Conscious parenting coach, as she homeschools her 5-year-old using the Montessori Method.

Stories of Justice in Higher Education with Letitia Tajuba & Qasim Rashid

From the attacks on DEI initiatives to the Supreme Court destruction of affirmative action… how do we process all that is happening in colleges and universities? Tune in this week as talk about justice in higher education with special guests Letitia Tajuba & Qasim Rashid (Qasim joins the conversion at 25:52).

Letitia Tajuba is a former educator (K-12 and higher education) and public servant with a career working in DEIB, Residence Life, Athletics, and so much more. While simultaneously volunteering for political campaigns, nonprofits that benefit the youth, and conservation, Tajuba is enjoying a reprieve from education and working in corporate aviation.

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.

Indigenous Rights, Issues, & Sovereignty with Gator Lone Wolf

Content Warning: This episode contains references to missing and murdered indigenous people and violence and assault against native children.

 

Over the past couple of years, we have seen the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) go to the Supreme Court, fights for indigenous water rights and environmental protections at Standing Rock and the Willow Project, increased visibility for missing and murdered indigenous people (MMIP), and the Pope's apology tour to Indigenous people for the settler-colonial violence they endured from the Canadian government and the Catholic Church. Are we ready to talk about Indigenous Sovereignty? In this episode, native civil rights activist Rev. Gator Lone Wolf joins us to discuss the contemporary issues that Indigenous people are facing today. Learn with us how we can all become better advocates for Indigenous rights.

Gator Lone Wolf was born in South Carolina near the ancient lower towns of the Cherokee where his ancestors lived. He's been a civil rights activist for 20+ years and has worked for the equality of Indigenous people across the country. Gator is a member of the American Indian Movement and stays active in events across Turtle Island. In addition, he is the Co-President of the Native/Indigenous NRG at a healthcare company and serves as co-pastor at Unity Fellowship of Owensboro, KY. Gator has a wonderful husband and amazing son that are his world and he loves to fish, hunt and partake in Cherokee traditional ceremonies when not working.

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Loneliness, Capitalism, & White Male Rage with Chaplain Bentley Stewart

What about our culture actively produces lonely, angry, and isolated white men? This week we discuss the dynamic we often don't talk about - the manufacturing white supremacy, toxic masculinity, and an American-hypercapitalist image. We are joined by special guest, chaplain Bentley Stewart to explore how we can challenge the "loneliness epidemic" bred from whiteness and capitalism and work towards a world where community and equality are keys to our collective connection and healing.

 

Bentley Stewart and his wife live in St. Petersburg, Florida and he has two adult sons. Currently, he serves as the chaplain of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital. Previously, Bentley pastored Christian Church of Vacaville, California for four years. Before that, he worked as a chaplain for people experiencing homelessness, planted a church, managed co-curricular activities for ministers in formation with Disciples Seminary Foundation. In his decade of hospital ministry, Bentley pursued interests in pediatrics, palliative care, clinical ethics, inter-professional communication, and cultural bridging. He is ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is endorsed as a chaplain by Disciples Home Mission, and serves as one of the denomination’s anti-racism trainers. Bentley holds a BA from Flagler College and an MDiv from the University of Redlands Graduate School of Theology, home of San Francisco Theological Seminary. 

Legislating Against Liberation

From banning books to anti-LGBTQ laws to the war on "wokism" to defunding DEI - what lengths will today's US politicians go to legislate away our rights and slowly chip away at our freedoms? ...It's Giving Fascism. Join us as we kick off Season 3 discussing the alarming escalation of anti-liberation legislation sweeping the United States.

Also sorry about the low quality of Mel's mic, we fix it about 16 minutes into the show. Cheers!

Decentering Heteronormativity with Producers Darling& Ben

On our last episode of Season 2, we speak with two of our producers, Darling and Ben, who both identify as LGBTQIA2+. We talk about gender identity, sexual identity, the many forms of attraction, trauma, and radical love and acceptance. Join us for a conversation on what it means to center and celebrate queer voices.

My Culture Is Not Your Costume

This week, Tychelle and Mel talk about cultural appropriation vs. appreciation: how to spot the difference and what it means to be in relationship instead of commodifying communities who are different from us.