Our Stories Matter

Public defenders have often gotten a less-than-honorable wrap when it comes to providing services for those who need it the most. In this week's episode, Brendon Woods, Alameda County's first Black Chief Public Defender, challenges that bad reputation as he shares his passion and advocacy for the liberation of victims of mass incarceration. Brendon talks about how he is leveraging his position to fight against systemic injustice in the legal system. Tune in to hear the changes he is making in the community.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Naima Ramos-Chapman is an activist and filmmaker. Her powerful story highlights ways she has used filmmaking to promote her own healing and the healing of others from complex and systemic trauma. She discusses how she leveraged film to give light to perspectives and experiences that are often dismissed and overlooked. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

While law in the US has a history of perpetuating systematic racism, Summer Lacey has utilized it to advocate for the most marginalized amongst us. Summer's life embodies the transformational mission of using the law to resist and dismantle systems of oppression. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Romarilyn is a black feminist prison abolitionist scholar working to interrupt criminalization at the intersections of race, gender, and education. Her fierce advocacy as the Program Director of Project Rebound at Cal State Fullerton has helped establish the John Irwin Memorial House, the first collegiate housing initiative in the nation that provides a residence, holistic support and academic care for formerly incarcerated and system impacted students.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Claudia Peña and Bryonn Bain are trailblazers in their work with UCLA's Prison education Program. The two are using their background in everything from the arts and literature to working in the legal system to invest in the education and healing of those who are incarcerated. In this episode, Claudia and Bryonn share their efforts to promote transformative justice and healing through collaboration and trauma-informed practices.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

 “We're just human beings trying to live our lives in a system that is oppressing us.” This episode's storyteller speaks on the challenges that come with not only being an undocumented immigrant in the United States, but also being a Black man in America. Tune in to this week's episode to learn how Aly Wane is using his experiences to advocate for the humanization of Black and immigrant communities in the political and justice systems. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

“We are the ones that can best support each other coming home. Because we know what that feels like. We know how much we want to give back and how sorry we are for what happened in our lives”. Instead of systems of oppression being erected to stifle our reconnection to the community, women survivors of the American criminal punishment system can be empowered to be the healers our communities need.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

ACTIVATION WARNING: This entire episode discusses multiple forms of trauma, including graphic descriptions of intergenerational trauma, sexual trauma, physical trauma, emotional trauma and carceral trauma.If activated, TILA recommends to incorporate healing practices such as move, walk, journal, run, push against a wall, connect with people who are supportive empathetic and remember to breathe...If at anytime you need to take a break, take a break and you can always return later...Countless women's voices are smothered under the brutal reality of incarceration in America. Yet, Rianne has mustered the courage to speak truth to power. Incarcerated going on 12 years, Rianne clings to honesty, hope and resilience in her healing journey. Listen to her bare her soul live from the belly of the beast.  Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

“You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” Fearlessly from the Inside, Keyon shares how music and his promotion of literacy have been his tools for advocating for social justice in Black and Brown communities. Tune in to this week's episode to hear Keyon's story of personal reform as he overcomes systemic and physical barriers.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

On this week's episode of Our Stories Matter, storyteller Sydney Rogers, shares how learning to receive love from others and themselves emboldened them to embrace their intersectionality. Sydney explains how their healing journey has positioned them to utilize performing arts as a tool of empowerment and advocacy to increase the visibility of the Trans Non Binary community. This episode is in memory of Ms. Carpenter, a social worker who inspired Sydney through the care and love she showed to a younger Sydney and their family. Tune in to hear more about Sydney's journey and their plans to expand their advocacy through social work.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

This week's episode showcases the story and advocacy of Anthony Robinson, a writer and artist who is using his experience in the prison system to empower those who have had negative experiences with criminal injustices. From writing articles that have inspired people internationally, to creating platforms for creatives in California, Anthony has established himself as a force of change.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Martín Leyva is leveraging his position in academia to change the face of education in higher education. Martín highlights how having a trauma and healing-informed approach to teaching challenges students to think more critically about traditional academic material in order to promote a tradition and legacy of holistic, communal, and transgenerational healing. Tune in to this episode of Our Stories Matter to learn more about Martín's advocacy through education.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

“...imagine a world where healed people helped hurt people heal and become whole.” When JC Cavitt found himself facing a prison sentence at age 17, he found refuge and self-expression in poetry and spoken word. His use of words set the stage for him to model, encourage, and champion vulnerability and healing in others. Join this episode's Storyteller as he shares how his gift has become an avenue for personal and communal liberation. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

“I think that's the healing agent that Beit T'Shuvah gives. We give people spirit, we tell them we have faith in them, and we give ‘em love.” “And a sense of belonging.” Harriet and Rabbi Mark tag-team to share their collective aspirations for elevating healing of mind, body, spirit, and justice through their marriage and community addiction treatment center, Beit T'Shuvah. Listen to this episode to hear their story of love and advocacy. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

This season our Diverse storytellers focus on HEALING from Incarceration in conversation with our hosts Yehuda (Pryce) and Susan “Susie” Hess.Our Stories Matter promotes a support system and healing process through community care.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @TraumaInformedLA on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Yehudah Pryce, who sees faith as a liberating and redemptive force to confront trauma in a sustaining way that transcends structural barriers and oppressive forces.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Salina Gray, a teacher with 24 years in traditional public, charter, and graduate schools. She shares her story and vulnerability on how she has made her way to heal through mindfulness. Salina reveals, “the first step is to sit with yourself.”Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

In this special episode of Our Stories Matter, we present the audio recording from our IPV Revolution: Healing the Healer event. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness (October) and in light of the current political moment and global public health context, we joined together for community care and collective healing through an exploration of the imperative to center the healing, transformation, and liberation of communities of color impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV).⁣ Through storytelling and an analysis of the systems that impact survivors of color and those who are supporting crisis intervention, healing, and resilience, we created a dialogue that focused on how to build the capacity and sustainability of professionals and survivor leaders working to prevent and address the impact of intimate partner violence.Speakers included Orchid Cameron, Ramona Merchan, Paula Miley, Nkem Ndefo, and Patty Ramirez.Disclaimer: This audio contains subjects that may be activating for people who have experienced trauma.

Join us for a conversation with experienced trainer, coach, advocate, and leader, Ramona Merchan who shares the meaning of anti-racist activism and how we as a community and individuals can heal through it. Ramona offers her impactful story and what brought her to assisting vulnerable and marginalized communities through anti-racist advocacy. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a timely conversation with Saúl Sarabia who offers voting as a healing mechanism. He expresses, “Civic participation, owning my civic voice, and taking collective action with other people is healing work.” Listen to affirm how our voices are more than just a vote.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

After a successful Season One, we're back with our second season! Brought to you by Trauma Informed LA,  Our Stories Matter is a podcast celebrating the complex lived experiences of activists and healers by sharing their inspiring stories. We invite you to learn more here!As journalist Lauren Gilger profoundly states, “The power of the story will save us all.”For updates on the podcast follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.

Founders of Project Kinship, Steve Kim and Mary Vu join to discuss their healing journey through re-entry activism. They share, ”Vote, vote, get out there and vote for policies that impact our people.”

Join us for a conversation with South LA organizer, LaNaisha Edwards who shares the importance of voting and speaking for the voices that are not heard. LaNaisha shares insight on California propositions that will be voted on this November and reminds us, “There is no way to impact change without voting.” Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Annalisa Enrile who offers poetry as a healing mechanism, a way to work out trauma, express yourself, and find your voice. Audrey Lorde stated, “Poetry is not a luxury” and this episode will explore why that statement is true and how the power of words can bring us closer to our truths. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Hugo Gonzalez who discusses art as activism and activism as art. Hugo is an artist and activist committed to dismantling patriarchy through advocacy, diverse community building, and challenging societal norms.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Mike Alcantara who discusses the journey of how he became an entrepreneur through his struggles, setbacks, and now his goal to aspire others to follow him. Mike is passionate about motivating others to always achieve their highest self.Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Unchained Scholars,  a group of formerly incarcerated MSW, DSW, and Ph.D. students working with ally members to dismantle the barriers faced by people impacted by the criminal punishment system. The Unchained storytellers include Genevieve Rimer, DSW; Heidi DeLeon, MSW; and Fabiola Quijano, MSW. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.

Join us for a conversation with Nkem Ndefo, founder and president of Lumos Transforms and creator of The Resilience Toolkit, a model that promotes embodied self-awareness and self-regulation in an ecologically sensitive framework and social justice context. We invite you to learn more about Nkem Ndefo here. Visit the Our Stories Matter homepage to learn more about the podcast. Follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates. 

Join us for a conversation with Alexus Rhone- writer, producer, artistic theologian, and revolutionary artist exploring the power of story. Passionately committed to being a “truth-teller,” Alexus offers a strong, compelling voice to people (young and younger) looking for authenticity and transparency.We invite you to learn more about Alexus here.  We also invite you to learn more about our fearless podcast co-hosts and Our Stories Matter team here.  Join us for our Facebook Live party with Alexus on June 7th at 6pm PST. For updates on the party follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter. 

Brought to you by Trauma Informed LA, in partnership with Lokels Only, Our Stories Matter is a podcast celebrating the complex lived experiences of activists and healers by sharing their inspiring stories. We invite you to learn more here!As journalist Lauren Gilger profoundly states, “the power of the story will save us all.”For updates on the podcast follow @OurStoriesMatterPodcast on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.