In The Deep: Stories That Shape Us

Before becoming a religious leader, human rights activist, and entrepreneur, Bishop O.C. Allen III worked vigorously to gain access to prolific institutions - the ones that teach young men to be the best they can be. And despite loving these places and their overall mission, he quickly realized that these institutions accepted only part of him - rejecting portions of himself that were too special to hide. And after trying to fit in, he quickly found himself remodeling the walls of these ‘safe spaces,' instead painting them to the color of his own identity.In this season finale, listen as he explains how he was able to amplify his mission via The Vision Church - creating an inclusive environment that teaches others to lean into their vulnerability, turning it into a superpower – one that encourages people to live in their truth, rather than die in a lie. Bishop Allen teaches us that the space within ourselves is the most important – because regardless of status, sexuality or circumstance, we are powerful and already enough, exactly as we are. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine a world where your favorite barber, the one you go to every few weeks and talk to about pretty much everything, was also a licensed therapist. As an entrepreneur and mental health advocate, Lorenzo P. Lewis did just that. After spending so much of his childhood in his Aunt's beauty salon, he saw the opportunity within these neighborhood gems and created “The Confess Project,” providing a tool to heal his community. In this episode, learn more about the project, and how he's been able to turn a familiar place into a useful resource for people that want to transform into an unapologetic version of themselves.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake found his passion for music singing in a gospel choir in his church as a young boy. But as a gay Black man, he found a lack of representation for his community and the gospel genre as a whole. In this episode, learn more about Dr. Blake's story and his choral group Tonality, which tells the untold stories of Black lives through song as a tool for healing.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Morrison has spent much of his professional life telling stories. Through the years, he's shared countless anecdotes about a number of topics through the lens of many. But the most difficult story to share became his own when he made the brave decision to trust his public at Good Morning America with his private HIV diagnosis during the COVID pandemic. In this conversation, hear more about Tony's story, the shaping of his identity as a gay Filipino American, and how he learned to heal on his own terms, but most importantly, on his own timeline. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Delgado took a hit of what he thought was a cigarette and suddenly found himself in a 12-year addiction. But, even in the deepest points of his addiction and finding himself unhoused, he was able to find a community that he still connects with to this day. In this episode, find out how Anthony leveraged the love he found for himself - and for others - to build a network through iCare Atlanta, a non-profit that helps the community find peace, health and healing. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian Manuel made a bad choice as a young teen that cost him his freedom for over 20 years. But despite having a childhood filled with trauma and solitude he was able to keep his imagination alive, reading books, writing poetry - keeping in touch with the things that made him feel human. In this episode, find out more about Ian's book "My Time Will Come," and how he spent his time in prison seeking his justice and a better future: one with forgiveness for others, the people he hurt along the way, and himself. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For John Paul Brammer, there is no one right way to be yourself. Growing up in the South, he lived the complexities of being Mexican American in a society that wanted him to choose one culture over the other. In this episode of “In the Deep: Stories that Shape Us,” we hear how John Paul rejects this idea and proves that identity is less tethered to borders and stigmas, and instead focuses on the premise that people should be free to be themselves. As an author, editor and journalist, John Paul stresses the importance of building safe spaces that take the best parts of ourselves and multilayered experiences - creating an identity that leaves pain behind and instead, fosters health and healing.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of “In the Deep: Stories that Shape Us,” host Zach Stafford sits with author and activist Frederick Joseph to talk about the power of stories, both told and untold. As a young man growing up between the northeast and the South, Frederick isn't a stranger to heartbreak, sharing how stigmas and traumas couldn't define his life's trajectory. And, despite these moments of deep sadness, he lives a life where he's actively choosing love - which he calls the adversary to trauma. Frederick walks us through his journey, filled with the stories that defined his life - and others that he didn't allow to shape the outcome of his personal and professional road to happiness and health. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.