The Liberation Podcast

We are talking labor rights today with the organizers of Coffee Worker's of The South United (CWOTS for short)- the first unionized coffee shop in Nashville (second in the state of TN)! Since 2020 there has been a massive uprising of working class folks calling out and disrupting the exploitation they receive by employers and the overall brutality capitalism inflicts to all that fall under this intersectional struggle. In discussion with organizers Paige McCay and Charley James, we touched on topics such as; how the structures of the service industry lends its hand to exploitation, the importance of seeing your constituents, the importance of intersectional uplift, and much more!  Those of us who have worked through this pandemic (important to note many have lost their lives because of this) we have taken on an immense amount of emotional and physical burdens. However, through folks like CWOTS and other labor rights organizations, solidarity and the revelation that capitalism does not define or quantify our human rights or rights to safety we can stand up, speak out, and organize against these systems of burden. Connect with CWOTS here !Stay tuned into my work here !Contribute to the show through PayPal or Venmo (@ Safara _ Parrott )Support the show

I have the joy and honor of being joined for episode 27 by yoga practitioner, author, and activist Jessamyn Stanley. Jessamyn is the author of 'Yoke' + 'Every Body Yoga' and is also the co-founder of The Underbelly. Raised in Durham, NC and brought up in the Baha'i faith , Jessamyn was no stranger to spiritual practices, but it wasn't until her introduction and dedication to yoga that she was able to come back into spirituality in ways she had never experienced before. Using the philosophies of these respective practices and her own deconstruction of her lived experience of being a Queer, Black, Fat person Jessamyn has been able to shed a radical light into the Western Wellness Industrial Complex and create and avenue of advocacy, validation, and self love for the folks who often fall forgotten and underserved in this industry. We speak today about her relationship to challenging topics like imposter syndrome, shame, and self trust, and how yoga as a space of meeting yourself exactly where you are creates the space in which any and all things may be explored- leading you to new discoveries of what is sacred and what brings breathe to your life.Find more about Jessamyn's work HEREFollow The Underbelly + Jessamyn HERESupport The Liberation Podcast HEREIntro: 0:00-7:55Convo: 7:55-63:00Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Today I am joined by Ethnobotanist & Documentarian, Anthony B Rodriguez. Anthony is unique in his ancestral lineage of folks who admired and used plants- partnering that with Anthony's creative eye (and ears) for storytelling and digital media has resulted in Anthony's exploration into 50+ countries in search of rare species of banana, medicinal plants, and different permaculture practices. In our discussion we speak about his methods of documentations, accessibility to ethnobotany, its role as historian v. discovery, and the future of the study in relation to climate disruption. Support Anthony's work : Anthony B Rodriguez Website Podcast Website + Submission Flyer Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Happy New Year ! For the first episode of the 2022 I am joined with community healer and educator, Ms. Pearl.  Ms. Pearl is Montessori trained through Belmont University, a certified Permaculturalist received from Earth Activist Training, Life Coach, Cosmetologist and Reflexologist who has dedicated their passion for community work by finding and orchestrating Brooklyn Heights Community / Urban Garden. Brooklyn Heights Community Garden (BHCG) is a .56 acre urban farm located on formerly vacant lots in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, a historically Black and low-income neighborhood that experiences food apartheid. Many of the residents in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood are elderly and on fixed incomes.Ms. Pearl leads the garden to be a space of inclusive and intergenerational learning that not only services the folks who's hands are in the dirt, but also serves as a land steward that uses sustainable practices. INTRO: 0:00-15:00MORE INFO ON BHCG : https://www.brooklynheightscommunitygarden.org/who-we-areDONATE TO BHCG:https://donorbox.org/healingintheheights-healing-hutLIBERATION PODCAST SUPPORT: https://linktr.ee/liberationpodcastSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

For this episode I am joined by author and podcast host Patrick Farnsworth. Patrick's work on his show Last Born In The Wilderness serves as a long form interview based podcast that centers ecological collapse as the bases for investigating and providing diversified voices of the systems of oppression that pervades much of our day to day living. As a long time listener and observer of his work, I wanted to bring Patrick onto the show to give all of you a better introduction to who he is, and glimpses into his personal story and trajectory of his show of deep healing and finding deep connection to those around him. To support Patrick or I's work follow the links bellow!Patricks work:lastborninthewilderness.com Liberation Podcast website + Patreon:theliberationpodcast.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

After a long and much needed hiatus - we are back ! It has been a 8-10 week stretch of rest (due to an urgent and fairly traumatizing medical emergency with my dog)  and necessary personal reorientation of which I give a good shed of light to in this episode. I practice some long term rest that allowed my the particular experience of being between vanishing and reappearing, and even more so the particular space in which I can ask my self where are the parts of me that have been left behind and how may we nourish them back? Patreon & One Time Donations : https://linktr.ee/liberationpodcastIntro: 0:00- 4:00Support the show

I am joined today by Nashville musician, producer, and writer, Thad Kopec. In his own words, Thad is a man who is “endlessly tinkering”. Thad, by all definitions (even though there aren't any) is a space- maker. Inspired by magical realism + religious imagery and then partnered with his observational writing style and expansive production-any listener of his music is left feeling both drawn to themselves and the greater environment they inhabit. In this conversation Thad and I discuss his beginnings of creating music, how music is a tool to expand our understandings of reality, the role of observation, and much more! To learn more about or even book Thad's work follow these links-website: https://www.thadkopec.cominstagram: @thadkopecPatreon + single donation linked here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=trueSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Lagnajita Mukhopahdyay has joined me to kick off Season 3 of the podcast! First and foremost, it is my and Lagnajita's desire that this conversation holds a safe space and a space of connection to any and all BIPOC who have found themselves within the duality of their lived experiences-our liberation is bound in each other, always. If this name rings a bell, it's because she was the very first writer to be featured on The Liberation Podcast website. Today,  however, she joins me in conversation  to give us a closer glimpse into her story as a person of a diasporic history and how it has informed and continues to evolve her writing and poetic efforts. Paramount to her work is the exploration of what it means to be in a constant state of change and rebirth- how does one reorient while also leaving space for yourself and others to change. **Correction: Lagnajita's poetry album "I don't know anyone here" **Intro: 0:00-10:00 Interview: 10:00-61:00 Support the show on Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=trueRead Lagnajita's work : theliberationpodcast.com & lagnajitam.comOne- time Donations to the show : https://www.theliberationpodcast.com/donateSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

New Season, still deeply contemplative and neurotic me !It's Season 3 of The Liberation Podcast and boy oh boy do we have some new things happening. Today I discuss the announcement of The Liberation Podcast Patreon (one time donations available as well) , changes to the, and the introduction and my personal connection to this season's theme of : Space-making. Thank you so much for your wonderful support and kind words. Please rate, review, and follow the show ! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=trueVenmo: @Safara_ParrottPayPal: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8xRXWFDsQc?_ga=2.6763186.1838438891.1627996328-1996055875.1627996328Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Today I am joined today by the ever inspiring Cole Arthur Riley! Cole is the creator and liturgist behind Black Liturgies (@blackliturgies), a project seeking to integrate concepts of dignity, lament, rage, justice, rest, and liberation with the practice of written prayer. Cole is also currently the Content and Spiritual Formation Manager for a center for Christian studies at Cornell University.In this discussion, Cole retells how she came into her spiritual/liturgical practice and how it came in direct correlation with her studies of Black Liberation and Existential-esc philosophy. We also explore topics such as; concreteness v. malleability  within faith practices, power of written prayer/pray language, and ancestral understandings of liberation. I am boundlessly grateful for Cole and the space we were able to facilitate in our conversation. Follow the links below to support Cole's pressingly important work, and as always be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the show!Black Liturgies: - https://blackliturgist.com-https://www.patreon.com/blackliturgies-@balckliturgies : Instagram + twitterSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

For Episode 18, I am joined by Tik Tok creator and “Professional Good Vibes Dispenser”, Terrell Davis he/they (@mintybongwater). Terrell took a shot in the dark when it came to beginning his career as a plant parent Tik Tok creator, and since then has been able to create a virtual space of connection, intentionality, and community. Terrell and I speak about his major influences and beginnings of plant care & mindfulness practices, we also speak about the importance of boundary setting in the digital world and approaching content creation with sureness and intentionality. Intro: 0:00-9:00Interview: 9:00-55:00 Keep up with Terrell's content on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Youtube by following @mintybongwater & www.mintybongwater.com Follow me on instagram : @safara___Follow me on Medium: www.theliberationpodcast.medium.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Contenting Warning:  discussion of religious trauma & sexual violence.  Emily is BACK for another interview; this time we are devoting our conversation to her newly released book, #ChurchToo ! #ChurchToo: How Purity Culture Upholds Abuse And How To Find Healing, is both a labor of love, and an educational tool. Emily not only gives you the facts and tools on the interworking of Purity culture but she is also facilitating a space in written word for people's stories to be held in righteous dignity. In this conversation we deep dive into her book and speak about how higher educations complicity (and arguably intentional) mis education of consent/sexual education, sin leveling, complementariansm, and healing. Order #ChurchToo: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506464817/ChurchTooInstagram & Twitter: @emilyjoypoetry Emily's website: www.emilyjoypoetry.com Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Singer Songwriter Katie Pruitt is joining me for today for a full deep dive into her first full length-co produced  & Grammy nominated album, Expectations. I met Katie at a local Musicians for Change event where she was singing and playing guitar with fellow local musicians sharing a space of communal peace and collaboration. In our discussion we navigate the different stories, and at times difficult experiences, that are displayed in tracks like Normal, Expectations, & Georgia and how sometimes you need to leave home and find a community that also shares in these experiences, and in result emboldens you to live authentically and be confident in having difficult conversations or facing past traumas. Support Katie's music and stay plugged into her work by following the links below:website: katiepruitt.com instagram: @katiepruittmusic  Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

We are back this week with a cozy catch-up conversation with photographer, videographer, and friend, Josh Nachoz. Originally from Ohio, but now Nashville resident, Josh started his photography career out as many people of our generation did-on a flip phone. Through this flip phone Josh connects with his driving passion of photography and how to capture the essence of his environments and the things that influence him. Along with his skate photos/videos, Josh has shot for artists like Isaiah Rashad, Jessy Wilson, Reaux Marquez, Kaash Paige, and many others. This conversation at the heart is two friends catching up, sharing stories, and speaking about the experience of being a young creative (especially in these sometimes frightening or unsettling times). Support Josh's work in the links below! Also be sure to follow my new Medium page also linked below. Josh Nachoz links:featured work: theliberationpodcast.cominstagram: @jashnachoz + @joshnachoz2twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/itsjoshnachozFollow me on Medium:https://www.liberationpodcast.medium.comSupport the show

Today I am joined by Executive Director and Co-Founder, Akua Naru and  Azmera Hammouri-Davis.theKEEPERS Collective mission is to serves as the first digital archive of Black & Latin female/fem identifying Hip Hop artists. This collective is not only the first of its kind but it is also a transnational effort. Today we focus on the cultural effect of the systemic silencing of female/fem voices and how Akua and Azmera are using this collective as a method of transformation for how female voices are respected, cherished, and honored in both the industry and everyday life. Intro: 0:00- 9:00theKEEPERS: 9:00- 50:00outro: 50:30-53:30Support theKEEPERS Collective here: https://www.followthekeepers.com + @followthekeepers Akua Naru: https://www.akuanaru.com + @akunaruAzmera Hammouri-Davis: https://www.azmerarhymes.com + @azmerahymes Follow me on Medium:  theliberationpodcast.medium.com Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

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This episode I am joined by the inspiration that is Curry (she/they)! We are talking HAIR yall, and not just any hair....we are talking Black natural hair. Curry is a Black creative that has been using their knowledge and passion for Black hair to create a platform of education that dismantle the intersection of racism and the hair industry. In this conversation we discuss their journey of becoming a master hairstylist, their vision and philosophy of the salon industry, and finally how conversations like this and her Black Beauty School is a way to end the cycle of systemic racism within the hair industry. Links to Curry's website and Instagram:website: bespokecurry.comInstagram: @bespokecurry , @beadandcowrie , @beadandcowriejewels Intro: 0:00- 10:30Interview: 10:40-65:00Outro: 65:00-68:00Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Oh baby am I excited for this episode! I am joined by long time jazz broadcaster, bassist, frontman, and improv enthusiast, Greg Bryant. Greg is a Nashville native now living in NYC who I had the great pleasure seeing perform with his group, The Greg Bryant Expansion. I knew someday I needed to speak to this guy and luckily a year later I started a podcast and he was kind enough and gracious enough to join me in a conversation. Today we discuss Greg's dedication to connecting folks to the essence of what music is trying to evoke and vibrate. We also discuss the long history and point of debate within the community of what should we call Black American Music (aka Jazz)? Greg also details the different experiences in both playing in his own fronted group as well as backing for other creative persons. Linked below are videos of Greg's group, The Greg Bryant Expansion - also found on theliberationpodcast.com Intro: 0:00-6:00Links:Without The Guilthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGTKSmBtxjs&feature=emb_titleReconciliation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaaxyaVsaPk&feature=emb_titlePassporthttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/3/#inbox/KtbxLvhGJnCgbQsBdDSzcQcNPJjHDQdLrL?projector=1Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

I am joined for this episode by the wonderful Tamarya Sims (she/they) as the first guest of the 2021! Tamarya is a North Carolina based educational farmer, herbalist, ecologist, beekeeper, and small business owner who speaks with me about their journey into this career and their dedication to educating black and brown children about all things nature. Linked below is Tamarya's instagram and link tree.  instagram: @plantswitht & @soulfullsimonefarm   linktr: linktr.ee/plantswithtSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

WE ARE IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS!...and what better way to celebrate than to talk about the internalizing of rigid resilience and its overall affect on how we see ourselves and how we adopt behavior to perform some kind mold of adulthood. I speak about how to open up this rigid definition of resilience by participating in what I call "child play" or "child pleasure". Allowing ourselves small acts of resilience in our day to day actions that dismantle  performative adulthood and allow space and nourishment towards our higher self. Intro: 0:00 - 8:30Aaron Worley & Chris Simpson Art Show: https://m.facebook.com/events/1069668816872185?__tn__=%2Cg#_=_Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

*VULNERABILITY ALERT* It's just me today for our 9th episode, and I'm not gonna lie to ya....its a vulnerable time. I've started a new therapy/character arc that involves ancestral healing and reconnection to the body, and as I develop new skill sets and tools on how to accomplish this healing I figured I would bring you along for the ride (you're welcome)! I'll be taking you through my discoveries of my personal rage and how that plays into body work, my difficulties with connecting to ancestry, and what it means to honor the opportunity of a transformative space. Along with ancestral healing, I will also be discussing the importance of winter and how this season is a calling for reorientation to the self, a new found openness to the body, and how it provides an opportunity for letting go. Texts and podcasts referenced:- Audre Lourde: Uses of the Erotic - Adrienne Maree Brown: Pleasure Activism - Podcast: Last Born In the Wilderness - Podcast: Unlocking Us- Brene Brown- Priya Parker: The Power Of Gathering Intro: 0:00 - 9:30Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Jaylene Clark Owens is my guest today and I could not be happier! Jaylene is an award winning actress, gifted play write, and captivating spoken work poet. She has a newly released book called Afro Poetic. " In this collection of spoken word poems, dating from 2005 through 2019, Jaylene poetically responds to current events, injustice, body image, love, and other subjects that have impacted her world".  We speak about her social-justice oriented work such as Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale , So Ha, and Ride or Die Chick.  All of these circulating on topics like gentrification and the black experience - specifically black women. We also touch on her poem My Voice, My Choice and what it means to decolonize that idea of what is deemed "appropriate" for black people (or anyone for that matter) to speak, and that there is true beauty in the accents and dialects that we use. Below are links to her book and website- you can also find Jaylene's Poems and artist statement on theliberationpodcast.com !Website/Book: https://www.jayleneclarkowens.com/shopRenaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale:  http://www.harlemkwproject.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

I am joined today by the wonderfully knowledgeable and radiant Leah Larabell! Leah is co owner of High Garden Teas, well versed horticulturist/herbalist, tea creator, and educator of all things wild. In this conversation with discussed her beginnings of her deep connection to nature and the transformative journey she was called to herbalism and tea making. We also touch on the importance of the language in which we as humans use to describe nature and to transfer from language like “use” or “value” and instead substitute it for “create” or “partnership”, because we cannot experience and have a relationship with our natural surroundings if we are using the language of separation or commodification. Linked below are to her online store for High Garden, and a link to their instagram where Leah and her husband Joel hold educational IGTVs about the wildings around us. Intro: 0:00-13:30Interview: 13:30-60:00Outro: 60:00-61:30High Garden Tea website + blog: https://www.highgardentea.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/highgardentea/Support the show

We have Julian Langer here today to speak on his new book, Feral Life: Meditations on Rewilding and Anarchy.  Along with his book we also talk about the idea of anti-collectivism, his personal embodiment of feral living, and the paradox that is society and its allowance of authority over itself instead of finding where their individual power (freedom) comes from.  Linked on the website, theliberationpodcast.com is Julian's books and essays- I encourage you to read more of his work and to maybe even begin your own journey into feral living! My website: theliberationpodcast.comFeral Life:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L5NW1G5?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860&fbclid=IwAR2Ov2ptzceY068-imY_TQ4nAdoApwuiQB6GfeqFEGUP-u-2mrYnDxruUUsSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

We are back! Today's episode is an interview with street photographer / photo journalist / biologist (yes all those things), David Pineros. David and I spoke about his original home of Bogota, Colombia (South America) and how his photography started as landscape work whilst in nature during biology trips. David also shares about his philosophies of photography and what is necessary for a photographer to be able to “hunt” for great pictures- it's all about doing every last movement with authenticity and intentionality. Lastly we talk about his time photographing major civil rights actions here in Nashville and what his process of capturing both high intensity moments and the more relaxed or less pressured moments. All of this and much more is spoken about in this episode and if you are looking to see more of David's work see his artist page on theliberationpodcast.com , look at this website https://pineros.pb.photography, and follow his instagram @dp_ photo _ essays. Support the show

You're stuck with me today! For this week I had an interview lined up but I woke up early Monday morning and decided to take a moment and record a semi-stream of conscious about what I have been dealing with emotionally the last few weeks and how it has effected my work and how I view myself. Today's topic is all about Imposter Syndrome and how I have (or haven't, rather) been able to name it as a key issue of my identity and how in result leaves me with a completely different view of myself that others do not perceive. I am also debuting a new page on the theliberationpodcast.com that is a home to hand curated playlist by yours truly; the first two available for listening are called Origin Story and Melanin Playlist. Remember to rate, follow, subscribe, review, all of that good stuff to support the podcast and make it easier for more folks to find the show!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

On today's episode I got to sit down with executive producer and host of Poets and Muses, Imogen Arate. Imogen and I dove into a marriage of topics, all circulating around the idea of trust and building spaces for those communities and experiences that are not inherently our own. We also spoke about types of gate keeping within the poetry world and how it kind of transfers over into the world of activism and platform building. On the website we are showcasing Caryl Gonzalez as our visual artist, and Imogen Arate as the showcased writer! Head over to the podcast website, theliberationpodcast.com to see their work and show support !Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

For episode two I sit down for the first interview of the podcast with Emily Joy Allison. Emily is a Nashville based poet, yoga teacher and now upcoming author of the book #ChurchToo. Emily and we discuss her upbringing in a conservative Christian household and her traumas revolving around the church; even more so we speak about her journey of healing and placing her experiences in every facet of her work to create a bridge of healing and communal relief  to her community.If you want to stay plugged into Emily's work, pre-order her book here: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/search?ss=%23ChurchToo  Instagram + Twitter: @EmilyJoyPoetry  Website: emilyjoypoetry.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/user?u=56469925&fan_landing=true)

Welcome all to the very first episode of The Liberation Podcast! I am so excited to finally get this project into the world and into your wee little ears. This episode serves as a kind of  origin story of both the podcast and the healing journey that took way as I moved to Nashville and finally was able to awaken my own autonomy and face the demons that had been chasing me for so long. Thank you again for tuning in and please subscribe, like, and do all the things to stay in touch with the show. To see our featured artists and writers, visit theliberationpodcast.com ! Support the show