Spiritual Provocation

I have shared with you how my upbringing was stranger than fiction. I have shared with you purity culture. I have even shared with you the feminist perspectives on power. However, I have never shared with you WHY I began this podcast. In this final episode, I would like to do just that! Firstly, if you are a woman of color and you are wondering if you should make that podcast, I just want to tell you: YES! YOU SHOULD! Secondly, how I came to create this podcast can actually be answered by me telling you a joke: Two bros are talking about Buddhism. And they are elitists.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode speaks of gun violence. If you choose to listen to this, please pay attention to your body. If you need to pause or stop listening to this episode, please honor that. This episode was recorded on Memorial Day. A few days before, there was a shooting in Buffalo, New York at a grocery store. The "alleged" shooter was Payton Gendron, an 18-year old motivated by hate. Then, there was the Uvalde, Texas massacre. Since the time of this recording, there was at least 14 mass shootings over Memorial Day weekend. While our nation is under siege, Senator Mitch McConnell received more than one million dollars from the NRA because his worry is "Bringing home the bacon". What do these politicians have to do to get voted out of office? They are spewing pro-life when children who have been born are murdered in a school. Let's discuss the hypocrisy in this country. ⛪

May is mental health awareness month. Collectively, our mental health has taken a huge nose dive, especially among young people. Between scrolling through social media and happiness being the default expected emotion, our mental health is exhausted. Mental health crisis is running rampant in our world. The United State's health care is problematic. Join me as I take you on a journey and speak about superficial feelings, social norms and conditioning so we can all appear "happy". Honorable Mentions Meet the parents who refuse to give their kids smartphones Over half of Americans have less than 3 months worth of emergency savings ⛪

I have gathered at the alter of "certainty" and I know you have probably as well. I was certain this podcast was going to come out on a particular day. I was certain I would know the topics I would be discussing. I was certain this was going to be easy. Well, all of my certainty was laughed at by God or Buddha or Oprah or whomever is the supreme being of this third rock from the sun! What is behind the need for certainty? I am going to put you out of suspense. It's our tiny lizard brains needing safety. Join me as I talk about the illusion of certainty and how it can prevent us from getting what we want...including bathroom breaks if you are an Amazon worker! ⛪

As I sit and reflect on creating this podcast, I wonder if I am making the impact that I want to create. As I think about my mission and purpose of this podcast, I feel I have strayed a little bit. So in today's episode, I'm going to explore my initial voice and be a tad more blunt. For those who have listened before, I will be illustrating my point of feminists need to have/make their own money with ... yes, you already know, a story! It begins with a story about how I hate Christmas. Are you ready? Let's be provocative! ⛪

“Most people will say anything to justify their own actions, because most people would rather be safe than happy.” - Ash Ambirge Influencers, Followers, Subscribers - these things are so interconnected with our society now. Social media can definitely be a force that enhances lives but it can also very quickly slaughter the same life it just enhanced! Even though, it is leveraged against us, we still use it! Join me as I discuss what happened to an "influencer" when her social media illusion came crashing down. In the words of TLC: What about her friends? Did they let her down? Did they stay around? Is social media turning us into small petty people? Is having a "real life" "good" for the camera? Let's dive in and discuss! Honorable Mentions The Social Dilemma The Middle Finger Project ⛪

Within the Buddhist communities, there are two different stances regarding activism. There is one that is very aligned with social justice activism. The followers of this practice have a mission to serve others. However, there are other lines of thought that are in alignment with social justice values, however while they will not be protesting they won't act like nothing happened. They will address it during Sangha. So is the first group arguing with reality? Join me as I discuss: The definition of attachment What are the five remembrances? Deciding not to accept death What are you willing to accept? ⛪

Humans have evolved to see the uncertain as a threat.  And not just any kind of threat, but an existential one.  Not sure if there's a lion hiding in the bushes waiting to eat you?  Big fucking problem.   I'd like to take you on a journey and share with you some lessons from my youth about life, faith, uncertainty and most importantly, the truth.   Join me as I share: Purity Culture and its impact Courting vs. dating Looking outside of ourselves for authority Lies you tell yourself The impact of White Supremacy Having a human experience ⛪

Warning: This content contains information regarding sexual trafficking and is not intended for children. It also may be a triggering for some adults.  Listener discretion is advised. While most kids were out and about exploring the world, I was tucked away in my room, carefully taking notes while reading from my encyclopedia, long before there was such a thing as Wikipedia I was an information sponge and my appetite was insatiable.  I learned everything I could and read everything I could get my hands on.   The other part of me that came factory stock is my love for and desire to help people, specifically those that are at a disadvantage or otherwise marginalized by society; the sick, the poor, the outcasts, the disenfranchised, the marginalized. in this love, I learned the horrid atrocities that happen here and in other cultures. Join me as I share: The definition of Collateral Damage Going through life on auto-pilot The effects of unresolved trauma How we hide from our trauma Healing is not about fixing you Finding closure ⛪

Do you know how Black History Month came to be...well, Black History Month? As we celebrate and honor the triumphs and struggles of Black Americans join me as I discuss this annual observance. Join me as I share: Who created Black History Month formerly known as Negro History Week Should we celebrate Abraham Lincoln for emancipation The phrase: If you don't like it here, leave Black Americans contributions to things we use daily The significance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott Acts of Defiance Honorable Mentions The Story Behind Black History Month What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Rosa Parks: My Story Montgomery Bus Boycott ⛪

What happens when you are admonished for thinking about dating a boy other than white...but you are mixed race and not white either? What happens when on the way to church, you hear extreme road rage and expletives from the man you call, "dad"? What happens when you seek out podcasts that speak of spirituality as hospitals for souls, and you don't find any? You collect all of our cumulative experiences and make a podcast! Join me as I share: How I became infuriated with a podcast about Buddhism Racism, Patriarchy, Systems of Oppression and my middle finger The need for humans to have safety and belonging The time a woman spewed a racial comment about Koreans to me The worst line in the world: "I have black friends" 11 - non - negotiables Honorable Mentions: When people are in crisis, Black people are more than three times more likely than white people to be killed by police, and people experiencing a mental health crisis are 16 times more likely than the average person to be killed by police. Bernie Sanders Twitter Planned Parenthood History made when women were allowed to serve on jury Roe v. Wade 9 things women couldn't do before 1971 A History of Sexual Assault Laws in the United States The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 When Spousal Rape First Became a Crime Gender Gap Persists in Cost of Health Insurance Quick Facts about the Gender Wage Gap ⛪

“There is a stubbornness about me that can never bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” - Jane Austen Your parents may have told you your birth story and how you came into this world. But have you ever really sat and thought "WHY did I come into this world?" In the world where everything is now displayed: happy times, sad times, hard times - there was a time when things were hidden. There was a time when "what happens in this house stays in this house." There was a time when just because they went to church, people were considered invincible. And there were times when I lived all those lives and more. Join me as I share with you my story: An Korean-American female that was brought into this world amid lies and scandal. My truth: being adopted by white saviors where I was taught to create the illusion of the "Happy Perfect Family" so it seemed real to everyone on the outside looking in. And the reason why Hollywood would not pay for the rights of my origin story because they would think it was one big fat lie! In this discussion, I hope I provoke you to think: About your experiences and what you chase How patriarchal brainwashing has impacted your life The importance of knowing how our brains are wired Why you need a coach Honorable Mentions Hines Ward Child Abuse statistics cited were from the article from DoSomething.org Quote from Angela Davis ⛪

If you believe a blond hair, blue eyed dude lived in the Middle East 2,000 years ago, this podcast ISN'T FOR YOU! I'm Katie B and I will be talking about our truths of systemized teachings, awareness and change! Ida B Wells said "“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” This podcast is the 5000 Lumen LED Bulb of truth. So grab your sunglasses, slather on some sunscreen and buckle in. Even though the light may burn at first, the real lasting effect will be the knowledge you gain!