Brave Space LIVE

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. See less

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. 

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!

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.

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. 

On tonight's episode we'll be joined by friend to the show Rebecca Larsen & new friend to the show JC Goodhart, we'll be talking about dating preferences and if our preferences are ultimately related to prejudice and what any of it even means

This week, Tychelle and Mel sit down with Dr. Rev. Monica Cross to discuss transgender identities and issues. From her journey in the US Navy to her love for science fiction to her work as an author and activist, we are excited to welcome Dr. Cross to Brave Space Live!   Dr. Rev. Monica Cross serves as Pastor at First Christian Church of Oakland in Oakland, Ca., Associate Minister at Tapestry Ministries, Disciples of Christ, Christian Church in Berkeley, Ca., and Director of Women's Ministries in the Christan Church Disciples of Christ in Northern California and Nevada (CCNCN). She is a Transformational Leader Fellow of the Sojourner Truth Leadership Circle of Auburn Seminary in New York, City, NY. Monica is the Founder of Global Prayer Network, Author of Reflections of a Prophet Without Honor - a book of reflections that emerge from her life with God, Authenticity, and Imagination in the Face of Oppression - Autobiographical, it addresses gender, race, religion, sexuality, and strategies towards liberation. Monica is also on the Prophetic Council of the Poor People's Campaign and the board of TransHeartline, a non-profit organization that provides support for transgender people. Originally from Los Angeles, Ca, she now resides in the SF Bay Area.

There are a lot of myths floating around out there about affirmative action in higher education and the workplace. Join us for an enlightening discussion about what affirmative action is, how it works - and whether or not it's good for society.

This week we welcome special guest Adam Jackson to the show, an anti-racism educator, transracial adoptee, and good friend of Tychelle. Adam will be talking to us about his experiences with transracial adoption and the challenges and pain many people are not aware of.  Adam Jackson has been a leader in a Fortune 100 company for many years.  In his work, he has focused on associate and community well being.  He's facilitated inclusion and diversity (aka Antiracist) training and workshops for K-12 schools, non profits, and corporate leaders.  Adam has a history of working collaboratively with community organizations that share common values of grounded in antiracism and re-envisioning our communities needs.  Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., Dr. Marguerite Penick-Parks, and Adam created the region's first Diversity Leadership Institute, a week-long overnight camp for high school students, to build on their skills, knowledge, and connections to be leaders of tomorrow.   He is an active executive team and Chair of the Board of Directors  for the Brown County United Way, and Vice Chair at an antiracist policy center non-profit, Kids Forward.

This week we are excited to welcome special guest Britt Dorton - an incarceration and disability rights advocate. Britt will be talking to us about prison abolition and making a case for why it's so needed in today's world.   Britt Dorton is a law student whose advocacy focuses on the intersections of prison abolition and disability rights. Since 2019, she has worked closely with current and formerly incarcerated people; both in a professional capacity as a paralegal and through academic research, courtroom support, and other organizing efforts. Britt's thesis examined the long-term mental health effects of solitary confinement and she is committed to seeing an end to practice in her lifetime. Find Britt on Instagram and Twitter @brittuhfilter.

Join us this week for a cross-racial discussion of one of the most controversial and offensive words in the English language. Tychelle, Mel, and producer Jo have an honest conversation about the N-word - its history, its pain, its power, and the road to reclaiming it. 

This week's episode will be a conversation you don't want to miss! Tychelle and Mel are sitting down with museum professional Seema Rao to talk about an uncomfortable but important topic: the fact that many of the items housed in the great museums of the world have been stolen from other peoples. What does that mean for the future of museums and museum curators?   Special guest Seema Rao has more than 20 years in museum work doing interpretation, collections work and digital content development. She can be found blogging at Museum 2.0, consulting at Brilliant Idea Studio, and on Twitter and TikTok as @artlust.

Welcome to the kickoff of Season 2! In this episode, Tychelle shares her recent experience of driving across the country while Black. Hope you can join us for this important and powerful conversation.

In the final episode of the season, Tychelle and Mel invite Brave Space LIVE producers Alicia Govens and Jonadad Fequiere to discuss what it means to de-center whiteness. Join us for an honest and courageous conversation between women of color and white women.

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often gets romanticized in the ways we teach civil rights history - and his work is widely taken out of context of his radical advocacy for economic justice. Join Tychelle and Mel this week for an in-depth look at the figure and person of MLK.

Many of us don't think about the idea that participating in outdoorsy culture is not only a privilege but in many ways holds hidden racial discrimination, from the history of lynching to native treaty violation. From the National Parks service to Mt. Rushmore to inter-generational trauma to shopping for hiking boots, nature activities hold a legacy of problematics for BIPOC folks. Join Tychelle and Mel this week for a conversation on decolonizing our relationships to the great outdoors.

How have white women's tears been weaponized against people of color? How has the term "Karen" been appropriated? We are speaking tonight with Rebecca Larsen - a social media anti-racist activist who has taking audiences on her journey of education and self-growth for the last year. Join us for this conversation on racism, patriarchy, and intersectionality.

It can be tough to navigate multiple identities in different social spaces. Join us for a conversation on comedy, code switching, and respectability politics with standup comic and award-winning podcast host, Shereen Kassam.

A lot of us use the terms race and ethnicity interchangeably, but these words have different meanings and histories. This week Tychelle and Mel discuss the question of "white ethnicity" and what it means for white folks to claim an ethnic identity.

Jolly Good Ginger is a military veteran who grew up with a confederate flag in his front yard and was taught racism from a young age in the mountains of North Carolina. Today he is an anti-racism activist, speaking to audiences around the country on ways to white America can work to resist and overcome learned racism and systemic oppression. In this episode, he joins Tychelle and Mel for a conversation on what it means to unlearn whiteness - the "blanket that protects white supremacy" - and how white folks can learn to do anti-racist work while staying accountable to BIPOC communities.

Join Tychelle and Mel with special guest Carissa Hyunhee Casey as they discuss the complex dynamics and history of interracial dating and marriage. Both Carissa and Tychelle are in interracial relationships and speak from their experiences.

What's so bad about civility and asking people to just be nice to each other? Did you know it has its roots deep in colonization? Tychelle and Mel dive into the ways civility and niceness benefit white people and people with privilege and power, and hurt BIPOC folks and people who have been historically marginalized and underserved. 

In this episode, Tychelle and Mel talk about why friendships between Black and white women are so challenging and ways we can forge better friendships across difference.

Welcome to Brave Space LIVE, a show about anti-oppression and communal healing. In this trailer, Tychelle and Mel talk about who they are, how they met, why they started this show. Streaming every Tuesday 8pmEST @bravespacelive on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Check out more info at bravespacelive.com @bravespacelive