NONPOD PODCAST COMMUNITY

Many people understand abolitionism as something connected to the effort to end chattel slavery in the US that ended with the Civil War and Emancipation. In this episode of the podcast, Beth is joined by LaDonna Sanders Redmond to discuss modern day abolitionism as a paradigm for healing our institutional systems and ourselves from oppression. Links: LaDonna's TedX Talk: Food + Justice = Democracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydZfSuz-Hu8 My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies Resmaa Menaken https://bookshop.org/books/my-grandmother-s-hands-racialized-trauma-and-the-pathway-to-mending-our-hearts-and-bodies-9781942094470/9781942094470 LaDonna's reading/discussion group: Abolitionist Virtual Community. https://columinate.coop/events/abolitionists

I am honored that this episode of the podcast is launched in partnership with Valarie Kaur’s People’s Inauguration https://thepeoplesinauguration.org/ Valarie organized this People’s Inauguration out of the recognition that while a renewed functional government is necessary, it will not alone transform our communities into places were all of us are valued and free. Rather all of us have a vital role to play to heal and build a country that is committed to racial and economic justice, physical and emotional well-being, environmental sustainability, and peace. As President Biden and Vice President Harris take office, it is necessary for each of us also to take an oath to do our part to work towards this reimagined future. To discuss how to do this, in this episode I am joined by my friends and colleagues Kerrian Suarez, Executive Director of Equity in the Center, and Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion at the American Alliance of Museums and Board member of Equity in the Center. Our conversation was recorded just a week after the insurrection at the U.S. Capital. We discuss the background and the implications of the rise of more visible and radicalized white nationalist violence, and how to support people, organizations, and social systems at this critical time to move from awake, to woke, to work to put racial equity at the center of transformational progressive change. Link to “Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture” publication: https://equityinthecenter.org/aww/ Our latest Woke@Work blog: https://equityinthecenter.org/we-tried-to-tell-yall/ Upcoming “Awake Woke Work” trainings: https://equityinthecenter.org/services/working-sessions/awake-to-woke-to-work-building-a-race-equity-culture-open-enrollment-workshops/ Upcoming partner trainings (White Allyship, Building Pro-Black Institutions, et al.): https://equityinthecenter.org/services/#partner-trainings Sign up for our newsletter/training announcements. Scroll to the bottom and complete “Subscribe” fields: https://equityinthecenter.org/

We talk with Ramona from Twin Cities Pride about this year's holiday giving programs.

Beth welcomes Nisha Anand from Dream Corps to the Beth Zemsky Podcast. Links for more: https://www.thedreamcorps.org https://www.ted.com/talks/nisha_anand_the_radical_act_of_choosing_common_ground_nov_2020

For this episode, Beth catches up with her longtime friends Antonio Cardona, LaCora Bradford Kesti, and Ernest Comer - three of the people who have been instrumental in the impact Public Allies Twin Cities has been making in the lives of young people and the broader community for the last ten years. We dig into the history of the organization, the work they've done over the years, and about Beth's involvement with the organization during key movement moments over the past decade. We talk about the importance of leadership development, the pressure often felt by leaders to lead and rise to any given moment, how this pressure can sometimes by rooted in internalized oppression, and how penguins provide a great example for us in helping us shift our mindset around these concepts. We also spend a few minutes chatting with the team about their plans and ambitions for the future, their current individual projects, and the way Public Allies has influenced the work they're doing now and the work they plan to lead going forward. Click the links to learn more about Ernest’s book, LaCora and Ernest’s work on Black Centered Design, more about the African American Leadership Forum and Antonio’s work at Pillsbury United Communities.  

  For this episode, via Zoom from California, Beth welcomes her old friend and colleague, civil rights attorney, writer, filmmaker, activist, and current world-changer, Valarie Kaur. With her new book, See No Stranger (www.SeeNoStranger.com), hot off the press, and the Revolutionary Love Project (www.RevolutionaryLoveProject.com) she founded going viral online, we catch up with Valarie for a unique, intimate chat between friends about her work, her new book, and how it all came to be. Valerie shares with us, in a candid and effortlessly authentic way, about what first called her to activism, how her Sikh faith has shaped and influenced her work, and how the concept of Revolutionary Love has seen her through some of the darkest and most transitional moments of her life. This episode will challenge you in ways that are perfectly timed for the movement moment we are currently working though. With Beth providing us the context as someone who has seen many movement cycles like the one we're in now, whether you're new to movement work, a lifelong activist, or transitioning from one form of movement work to another, Valarie offers us up her deepest wisdom, in a way that will speak directly to yours, no matter where you are in your journey. Valarie's book is available online now at www.SeeNoStranger.com. Get a copy for yourself and buy a copy for that special highly-experienced or aspiring activist in your life.  Or... as a special gift from Beth, share your thoughts about this episode or Valerie's work on Facebook (be sure to use the hashtags #BethZemskyPodcast and #SeeNoStranger), and email a copy of your post and your contact information to blzemsky@gmail.com. If you're one of the first ten folks to do so, you'll get a FREE copy of the book signed by Valarie, courtesy of the Beth Zemsky Podcast!

In our first ever Zoom episode of the Beth Zemsky Podcast (and our second one featuring Beth's dog, Bert), we focus in on how opportunities for introspection and systemic change are often brought about by crisis. We talk about how crisis can often reveal things about ourselves and our organizations that we'd maybe rather not see, and about the temptation to leverage whatever privilege we might have to simply look the other way. We talk about how crisis can disrupt entrenched power structures and about how taking inventory of our ideas about diversity and inclusion can be even more important during crisis than when we think things are going smoothly. We also talk briefly about Beth's experience working in the early days of HIV, and about the impact it had on the work she does today. We talk about the importance of being intentional in identifying the opportunities presented to us by this or any other crisis, and how the movement work we're called to in times of crisis can be some of the most important work there is. For more on this topic from Beth, check out this recent blog she wrote for the Dodge Foundation at: https://blog.grdodge.org/2020/05/08/dodge-ta-implementing-diversity-inclusion-and-equity-during-a-pandemic

On location with Miguel Ramos, Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for the Minnesota Twins. We talk with Miguel about the Twins' 365 commitment to diversity and inclusion, the ways they've given back over the past year, and the work they'll be doing this year to ensure everyone feels welcome in Twins Territory.

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Beth’s longtime friend and colleague Cynthia Zwicky about the ancient tradition and emerging movement work field of Restorative Justice. While we talk about Cynthia’s experience primarily within the context of the education system, we also reflect on how the practice of restorative justice can provide a vital foundation for much of the social justice work we do. We also discussed how institutionalized power and privilege in the pursuit of justice often results in prioritizing the peace and comfort of those in power rather then well being of the community as a whole. Finally, Cynthia shares her experience first bringing restorative methodologies to her North Minneapolis school, the challenges she faced in doing so, and the ultimate successes her school achieved as a result. Beth also catches us up on what she’s been up to so far this decade, what she’s got coming up, how to get in on her upcoming “Facilitating Cultural Change” workshop, and gives us a sneak preview of our next few episodes. For more on the topic of Restorative Justice, check out the links Cynthia provided us with below: Minnesota Department of Education: Restorative Practices https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/prac/ Living Justice Press http://www.livingjusticepress.org/ Cynthia wrote a chapter in this book (Chapter 4) that talks about the journey of implementing restorative practices in two school districts. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39981873-getting-more-out-of-restorative-practice-in-schools This book has great stories of implementing the circle process in schools. http://www.livingjusticepress.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9A76A209-B9C0-4E94-886F-30918D80E3FB} And here’s a link to register for Beth’s workshop, Facilitating Cultural Change: http://www.facilitatingculturalchange.org

On today's episode, we tackle the huge topic of leadership with Beth's longtime friend and colleague, former Executive Director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice, David Nicholson. We take a bit of a "thinking-out-loud" approach to the topic and frame it within the scope of the many kinds of leadership currently on display in this country in different arenas, and about the impact they're having on the movement moment we're in. We talk about how various parts of our identities can impact our individual styles of leadership, how leadership doesn't always look like or need to look like we might be accustomed to seeing it, and about the role of followers in effective community leadership. We talk about accountability, responsibility, leadership as a relationship with the people we're leading, accepting feedback and criticism with grace and gratitude, how basing leadership on listening, empathy, and identifying and creating shared values is usually not a terrible place for any leader to start... and we only just scratched the surface! We also talk briefly about Beth's just announced Facilitating Cultural Change workshop this coming April. Be sure to check out Beth's website for more information!

With the season of giving upon us, we sit down with Patti and Madison from Thrivent Financial New Hope Group on Give to the Max Day 2019 to talk about Financial Wellness and setting ourselves up for a lifetime of healthy giving.

In this episode, Beth sits down with her longtime friend and colleague, Dave Mann for a chat about the emerging and evolving individual and collective narratives of the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election. We talk about what messaging is gaining traction, what isn't, and what's maybe just starting to. We talk about how this election already echos elections past in some ways and about the opportunities that some candidates might have to potentially pull away from the fray by framing their messaging in the values behind their positions on the issues. We talk about why leading with an anti-Trump narrative is a problem, we touch briefly on a few of the candidates who are doing a few things right, and talk about why and how all of this matters in the larger scope of movement building beyond just the upcoming election. Resources referenced in this episode: Grassroots Policy Project: https://grassrootspolicy.org/ Building Organizations in a Movement Moment (the article Dave & Beth wrote): https://bethzemsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Building-organizations-in-a-movement-moment.pdf Social Movement Organizational Strategic Planning: https://bethzemsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Social-Movement-Organization-Strategic-Planning.pdf Stewardship, Justice, & Democracy – An example of values based framing from the Land Stewardship Project: https://landstewardshipproject.org/posts/1220 New Social Contract - Organizing by values: https://bethzemsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/New-Social-Contract-Organizing-by-values-.pdf LSP Narrative case study - https://grassrootspolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ANarrativeOfRuralAbundance.pdf

We welcome DAP Men's Program Therapist Marissa Melby as our special guest as we roll up our sleeves and lay the groundwork for our rebooted curriculum series with our first topic, The Cycle of Abuse.

A special bonus on location edition of The Beth Zemsky Podcast featuring Barbara Satin and Rebecca Voelkel. Together, they and Beth celebrate 195 years of collective activism along with a room full of their closest friends while raising funds to support the important work of the National LGBTQ Task Force.

On location at the 2019 Twin Cities Pride Parade.

On location in Loring Park for the 2019 Twin Cities Pride Festival Part 2.

On location in Loring Park for the 2019 Twin Cities Pride Festival Part 1.

On location at the Quorum Village at the 2019 Twin Cities Pride Festival with Loring Stage performer and Sunday Headliner, Country Rock artist, Katie Beth. We talk about the challenges she's faced as a female LGBTQ+ artist in a corner of the music industry that's striving, yet still just beginning, to embrace equality and diversity among their ranks. We also talk about the power of perseverance when doors are slammed in your face, and about how we can all make a difference in the world by living out loud as our authentic selves.

In this episode we sit down with longtime Minneapolis artist and educator, Jeffry Lusiak. We talk about his experience as a young Queer artist in the Twin Cities at a time when the visibility of the Queer arts scene wasn't anywhere near what it is today, as well as delve in to his more recent endeavors, his new Success Coaching business and his awesome new podcast, From Here.

Welcome back to the new and improved Domestic Abuse Project Podcast! It's been a while, but we're back and better than ever with a new co-host, DAP's own Director of Client Services, Amirthini Keefe. We're on location at DAP's new headquarters in NE Minneapolis to talk about all the new and exciting things that have happened at DAP since our last episode, and to talk about some of the exciting new innovations happening now and coming soon to DAP.

On location at Target Field with a special 2019 Twins Pride Night preview with the Minnesota Twins' Director of Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Mr. Miguel Ramos. Miguel shares reflections on last year's Pride Night and lets us in on how the 2019 Pride Night will be even bigger and better!

On location for a powerful interview with Entrepreneur and Activist, Sonia Ortega, of Plaza Del Sol in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

On location at Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis for the 2nd Annual Business of Pride awards featuring 2019 Career Achievement Honoree, Ellen Krug.

We sat down last year with Twin Cities Pride Board Chair, Darcie Baumann, to talk directly to the community about issues that had arisen around police involvement with the festival and parade. In this episode, we talk about the work that's been done and the progress that's been made towards resolving these issues since that time, and talk about a few specific ways the parade and the park will be different this year.

An exclusive chat with Twin Cities Pride's Executive Director about all things festival related, as well as a look back at this year's 2019 Grand Marshal Reception featuring Mikko Blaze Bordeaux. We also talk to local broadcaster and journalist, Quinn Villagomez, about her work in the new Twin Cities Pride Magazine.

On location at Twin Cities Pride HQ for a sit down with Pride's Festival Operations and Events Coordinator, Ramona Richardson. We talk about everything festival grounds related - from how to become a vendor to where to park your car (or bike), to finding family friendly activities or your favorite sports team, to finding free water stations and port-a-potties, to where to find the beer garden and where to get your poodle massaged. And we only scratched the surface. Be sure to get your copy of this year's Twin Cities Pride Magazine Pride Guide for a map and even more info about this year's event.

On location at The Growler/Gray Duck Media HQ for an exclusive sneak preview of the 2019 Twin Cities Pride Magazine Pride Guide with Gray Duck's Creative Director, John Garland.

On location at LUSH for a special 2019 Festival Comedy Preview with the one and only Sarah McPeck! Back by popular demand, get the low down on this year's edition of the Big Fat Comedy Hour at the Twin Cities Pride Festival and meet a few random cast and crew members from the show, as they pop in to say hi. We check in on the monthly show at LUSH, learn about Sarah's new weekly show at The Black Hart of Saint Paul, talk Sarah's surprise hit Rascal Facebook Live series, and find out what's new with Sarah's Champagne Jamboree musical comedy duo partner, Amanda Costner.

On location at LUSH for a chat with Barry Karlenzig, Vice President of Programming for Pride Winnipeg. We talk about Barry's involvement with the organization, his involvement with The Imperial Court, some of the ways Canada is leading in the movement for equality, and the emerging acronym "GSRD", now widely in use in Canada in place of the variations of the LGBTQ acronyms that we use in the States.

Buckle up for an all-star edition of the Beth Zemsky Podcast as Beth welcomes back Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel and welcomes for the first time to the podcast, community icon Barbara Satin. Together, we reflect on their collective 195 years of service and activism as we approach their triple birthday bash and fundraiser for the National LGBTQ Task Force on May 30th, 2019. We talk about what brought each of them to activism so many years ago, some of their earliest activist experiences, how those early experiences shaped who they are now, and their thoughts on the future of the Progressive movement. We talk about the importance of recognizing the shoulders upon which each of us stand in our work, carrying the mantle and memory of those we meet along the way, and the process of realizing and learning to accept our eventual roles as role models to the next generation of activists. We also talk about our tendency to sometimes "silo" ourselves into issues, ideologies, and generations, and about the power in breaking through these barriers. We wrap with thoughts on the legacies that Beth, Barbara and Rebecca each want to leave, along with an assurance that neither one of them is anywhere near finished yet. We also include details about the birthday fundraiser at the end of May and how you can join us to both celebrate and help support the National LGBTQ Task Force.

On location at Avenues for Homeless Youth with Ryan Berg, Avenues' Program Manager, and Mason, a participant in Avenues' Host Home program.

On location at Minnesota Lynx Headquarters in Downtown Minneapolis with Carley Knox, Lynx VP of Business Operations, for a chat about the Lynx's President's Circle initiative, their commitment to Diversity and Inclusion and all things Lynx!

On location at LUSH for a chat with Twin Cities Pride's Entertainment Manager DeShaun McDonald about all of the amazing entertainment being offered up at this year's festival.

On location in St. Paul with Jennifer Dieter of The Aliveness Project. We talk about the history of the organization, the services they provide to the community and how you can get involved in their biggest event of the year, Dining Out For Life, with Super Ambassadors Rebecca Waggoner-Johnson and Eric Zucker.

On location with Zaylore Stout to talk about his background, fighting for justice as his day job and his nighttime hobby, the Anoka-Hennepin School District situation, and his upcoming book, Our Gay History in 50 States.

On location in Saint Paul with longtime community advocate Scott Mikesh for a talk about the importance of Mental Fitness in our plugged in, fast-paced world, and his new coaching venture, 4DFit.

On-location at Quorum headquarters for our first in-depth interview with Rebecca Waggoner, Executive Director of Quorum, Minnesota's LGBTQ+ and Allied chamber of commerce.

In this episode, we sit down with Beth's longtime friend and comrade Rox Anderson, Director of the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition and Rare Productions. We touch briefly on a few of the complexities surrounding the recent events involving Minnesota State Representative Ilhan Omar and talk about how moments like these can be leveraged by outside forces to create polarization and division between and within various marginalized communities. We talk about Rox's recently awarded Bush Fellowship, their vision for an LGBTQ Center in Minneapolis, their work addressing inequities within LGBTQ POC communities, a brand new comic book in the works featuring real-life Transgender-identified superheroes and much more. Beth also talks about her next workshop with Phyllis Braxton and reveals some big news about her upcoming birthday bash/fundraiser with a couple of her longtime friends.

On location at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis for the Doors Open Minneapolis Kickoff Reception with Mayor Jacob Frey.

On-location at Duluth Superior Pride 2018.

On-location at One Heartland in Northern Minnesota for the 2018 Red Ribbon Ride.

On-location in Loring Park for the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Festival.

On-location at the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Parade Part 2.

On-location at the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Parade Part 1.

On-location in Loring Park for the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Festival Part 3.

On-location in Loring Park for the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Festival Part 2.

On-location in Loring Park for the 2018 Twin Cities Pride Festival Part 1.

On-location at the 2018 Pride Beer Dabbler.

On-location at the 3rd annual Golden Valley Pride Festival.

On-location at LUSH for reflections on the late 90’s and 2000’s of Twin Cities Pride with Bill Nienaber, David Hill, and Eric Zimmerman.

On-location at the Tretter History Pavilion with Jean Tretter. Also included is a chat with some of the student archivists we met at the pavilion this year, as well as quick introduction to the Tretter Collection's new Curator, Rachel Mattson.