Transforming the World through Reflections

This episode of Transforming the World through Reflections takes us on a journey of recognizing the power of the voice in connecting with ourselves and others. Rafael López-Barrantes is an actor, creator of the Barrantes Voice System (BVS), co-founder of the Archipelago Theater in France and the US, and teacher at California Institute of the Arts. Experiences like gaining confidence, creating social justice movements, and becoming deeply present in our inner world are among our reflections about the voice, as the "muscle of the soul", as he put it. We begin by exploring themes in his book Voice Made Visible, as he shares examples of the voice system supporting the actors' process. #voice #BarrantesVoiceSystem #voicemadevisible #healingarts https://www.melissamshepherd.com/ https://www.barrantesvoicesystem.com/

This episode of Transforming the World through Reflections invites us to notice the power of coming together to promote cultural awareness and healing. Educator and artist Tony "El Pana" Welch reflects on how community-building through the arts can increase openness to learn about one another and dismantle stereotypes established by oppressors. All of this in a welcoming Salsa community! This led to a conversation about life as an immigrant and the challenges of being away from the country of origin in the midst of turmoil. Thanks, Tony, for such a deep conversation! #healingincommunity #communitybuilding #thesalsavillage #healingarts melissamshepherd.com For information on the Salsa Village, visit @tonywelch763 on TikTok and Soul Salsa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/244943252256898

This episode of Transforming the World through Reflections invites us to notice the power of coming together to promote justice, honor cultural history, and heal from generational wounds...A lot was said here! Thanks to actor, filmmaker, and podcast host Valaira Sa-Ra for sharing so many insights! #communitynuilding#freedomtothrive #healingcommunities #representationmatters melissamshepherd.com @valairasara

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" invites us to explore healing in community supported by experiences in theater. Actor, writer, filmmaker, and teacher Marissa Chibás brought profound insight about opportunities to grow in crisis, which continue in our transition into post-pandemic life. This layered conversation emphasized on the value of curiosity, wonderment, ancestral wisdom, and collaboration. Thanks, Marissa, for your openness, insight, and invitation to reflect on the power of storytelling! https://www.melissamshepherd.com/ https://marissachibas.com/ #thepowerofstorytelling #healingconversations #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #freedomtothrive#healingcommunities

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" invites us to explore healing communities with the help of social workers. Long-time volunteer and social worker in training Liuska Rincón brought profound insight about opportunities to grow, which emerged in the pandemic. This layered conversation emphasized on trust building, resilience, and thriving. Thanks, Liuska, for your openness, insight, and sensitivity to these topics! #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #growthinrelationships #freedomtothrive #healingcommunities #thepowerofsocialwork

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" invites us to explore the experience of nourishing relationships---with ourselves and the world around us--- while enduring stress, loss and grief in the pandemic. Psychotherapist and Coach Randé Dorn brought profound pieces of wisdom about opportunities to grow in relationships. This rich conversation dug deeply into noticing our freedoms to choose in alignment with our values and overall well-being. Thanks, Randé, for your openness, insight, and sensitivity to these topics! #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #growthinrelationships #freedomtothrive

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" invites us to explore the experience of community advocacy during the pandemic and in transition out of it. This conversation with community advocate and activist Jacqui Ponce identified nuanced approaches to help her community. She spoke of how the pandemic influenced support of immigrant families learning ways to adjust to life in the U.S.A., while enduring stress, loss and grief in the pandemic. Thanks, Jacqui, for your openness, insight, and sensitivity to these topics! #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #theimmigrantexperience #culturalhumility

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" invites us to explore a range of factors that influence the immigrant experience. Among these are protective factors and traumatic events that give context to the journey to and life in the U.S. This conversation with fellow Panamanian Anselmo Collins, Civil Enginneer and Senior Assistant General Manager of the Water System at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, highlighted aspects of being an immigrant revealed by the pandemic. This led to reviewing diversity, inclusion, and cultural humility as ways to contribute active and productively to our communities. Thanks, Anselmo, for your candor, insight, and sensitivity to these topics! #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #theimmigrantexperience #diversityandinclusion #culturalhumility

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" invites us to explore the influence that education and art have in the process of healing the conditions of the present at a local and global level. Dr. Julio Hanson highlighted several factors of cultural and historical context that must be taken into account in order to move forward with awareness and confidence in our individual and collective power. His experience as an educator and artist served as a platform to identify ways to stimulate the creativity of students and teachers to cultivate artivism for the benefit of social justice. Thanks, Julio! #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #artivism #educationandart #healforgreaterconsciousness #culturalnarratives

This episode of Transforming the World through Reflections features teaching artist Kimiko Warner-Turner discussing the powerful impact of the arts in creating space to explore and heal generational wounds. The recurring injustices that have sustained stress, outrage, and grief prompt protests and demand resolution that honors wellness at all levels. Ms. Warner-Turner presents examples of how the arts can help us process pain and dismantle long-standing mindsets that perpetuate injustice. Thank you, Kimiko for sharing your wisdom and inspiring reflection! #socialjustice #artivism #healingarts #theartsheal #generationalhealing #theshift #socialjusticeaction

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" features the founder of Mixed Up Clothing, Sonia Smith-Kang, for a deep dive into honoring our cultural narratives in our life's work, parenting, and communities. Ms. Smith-Kang's insights about the possibilities noticed in herself and our communities, through the pandemic experience, speak to the power of maximizing our gifts in service of others and our own growth. Ms. Smith-Kang is also the co-founder of Culturas, and Vice President, Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC). #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #diversityandinclusion #culturalnarratives #artivism

This episode of "Transforming the World through Reflections" features artist, educator, author, and activist David Heredia for a deep dive into honoring our cultural narratives in our life's work, parenting, and communities. Mr. Heredia's insights about the possibilities noticed in himself and our communities, through the pandemic experience, speak to creating beauty out of chaos. #transformingtheworldthroughreflections #diversityandinclusion #culturalnarratives #artivism

"The Shift in Mental Health Within Communities of Color" was a layered conversation about the power of deepening exploration of our history with the support of mentors, teachers, and healing communities. We highlighted the value of contextualizing pain and honoring healing traditions to build bridges of trust. We focused on the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health prompted by an interdisciplinary approach to historical trauma---including its impact on clinicians of these same communities. Thanks to Dr. Makisha Lawrence for such an insightful experience of identifying ways to thrive individually and collectively.

What an insightful conversation with Benny Blades! Benny is a counselor and dedicated mentor within Santa Monica College and is alma mater, UCLA. Among many forms of community service, he serves as a dynamic Board Director in the International Society of Black Latinos. All of this and his avid study of world history adds to our conversation about transitioning into post-pandemic life in our work and academic environments. In the process, we focused on the opportunities to shift our mindset in the interest of healing ourselves and cherished communities. Empathy remained at the center of all reflections. Thanks, Benny! #TransitioningIntoANewWorld #PostPandemicGrowth #TheShift #ImaginingtheWorldontheOtherSideofthePandemic #healingourcommunities #healingourselves

What an inspiring conversation with Ligia Grenald! Ligia is an an industrial engineer, entrepreneur and professor, which richly adds to our conversation about transitioning into post-pandemic life in our work and academic environments. In the process, we highlight how healing individually and in community promotes the shift into new ways of functioning in our workplaces--as employees, employers, entrepreneurs---and modified school experiences. Most importantly, this conversation focused on how relevant cultural sensitivity is in the healing of collective trauma such as the pandemic. #TransitioningIntoANewWorld #PostPandemicGrowth #TheShift #ImaginingtheWorldontheOtherSideofthePandemic #healingourcommunities #healingourselves

What an inspiring conversation with Ebony Williams! Ebony is an artist, psychotherapist, and professor, which all informs a rich conversation about envisioning post-pandemic life. In the process, we highlight how healing individually and in community allows us to access each other's wisdom to start anew with greater consciousness about history and ways to thrive. Most importantly, this conversation focused on how relevant cultural sensitivity is in the healing of collective trauma such as the pandemic. #PostPandemicGrowth #ImaginingtheWorldontheOtherSideofthePandemic #healingourcommunities #healingourselves

A thousand thanks to all the beautiful people who participated in the Transforming the World through Reflections journey. Today we commemorate our anniversary of conversations that took place in the pandemic. The focus has been to explore intersections between the pandemic and social injustices. We have shared experiences, examined ways to create new experiences at the end of the pandemic and heal the pain that has plagued our communities for generations. Onward. Today we gather to remember the podcast experience with All of them excellent representatives of the dynamism of so many professionals who contributed their ideas to the podcast. A hug to all. #TransformingtheWorldthroughReflections Thanks to: Anaida Colón-Muñiz Blain L. Watson Ligia M. Grenald R. Juanita Palacios-Sims Maritza Collins Eugenia Rodríguez, PsyD, LMFT José M Blackman, Jr. Adeela "Docta Dee" Whittaker Makisha Lawrence, PsyD Loretta Brazil Carla Michelle Nygil Palmer Sheri Johnson Dayren Santamaría Pastor Kelvin Sauls Pastor Edward Nelson Pastor Najuma Smith-Pollard D. Channsin Berry Sheree Johnson T. Faye Griffin Brigette Dunn-Korpela Kimiko Warner-Turner Claudia Bautista-Nicholas William Haddad Susan Lowe Bree Cook, PsyD Valaira Sa-Ra Tamiyka White Kay Benjamin Zuri Naoe Sonia Smith-Kang Valentino Dixon Jake Ross Ashley Asberry

"Transforming the World through Reflections: Art and Thriving" What a great conversation with amazing artist, entrepreneur, and educator José M Blackman, Jr.! We went from the experience of immigrating from Panama and launching life in the United States to using our gifts for healing...So good! This talented bassist will guide us in noticing opportunities to create space and resources for individual and community healing through this global crisis. #Healing #ArtandThriving

What a rich conversation about healing in "Transforming the World through Reflections: Burnout in Pandemic Times"! Thank you, Dr. Bree Cook, Psychotherapist Ebony Williams, Registered Nurse Ashley Asberry, and Administrator and District Director within the Department of Public Social Services Jake Ross for your words of wisdom. This reflection process highlighted the value of re-connecting with our bodies to improve self-care; building community of mutual support; and creating a recovery plan from this pandemic experience. #BurnoutInPandemicTimes #Healing #FromBurnouttoBliss

Over the years it's been an honor and privilege to gather with amazing women to celebrate International Women's Day at home, enjoying music, food, and each other. We have built a sense of community and strengthened bonds through sharing important narratives about our lives, ancestry, dreams, passions, and ways to bring them to life! Given the pandemic and in honor of safety, this year's reunion had to be met creatively with virtual platforms. Below is a montage of messages that would have been shared in person, but became a short video to precede our conversation. It's a blessing to be in the presence of these women. Enjoy and be inspired! I LOVE THESE WOMEN! #InternationalWomensDay2021 #RichLegacyofWomen #WomenHealingtheWorld

Let's end Black History Month reflecting on the story of a man who is making history: Valentino Dixon. The law exonerated Valentino Dixon, yet he was free long before the end of 27 years in Attica Correctional Facility due to a wrongful conviction. "Art, Freedom, and Healing" was a powerful conversation about creating the conditions to thrive in the face of unthinkable pain. Valentino pours himself into art during and since being released and is dedicated to the work of prison reform. Thanks, Valentino, for inviting us to discover the artist in all of us in the process of healing and growth. #ArtandSocialJustice #ArtFreedomHealing #Healinghistoricaltrauma

"Setting the Tone for Healing" was a layered conversation about the power of deep exploration of our history with the support of mentors, teachers, and healing communities. We focused on the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health prompted by an interdisciplinary approach to historical trauma. The arts were discussed as an essential resource to reflect on pain and healing. Thanks to Dr. Kimani Norrington-Sands, Artist Kimiko Warner-Turner, and Educator Claudia Bautista-Nicholas for such an insightful experience of identifying ways to thrive individually and collectively.

Infinite thanks to all of these amazing contributors to our journey in the series "Transforming the World through Reflections". Your wisdom and willingness to invite the world into life transforming insights are priceless gifts. What a year of reckoning and healing! #Endof2020Reflections

"Music Sustains Life"...What a great conversation with Oscar Hernández! He's a 4X Grammy Award Winner Oscar Hernández has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent pianist/ arrangers on the contemporary Latin, Latin-jazz and salsa music scene. He has achieved legendary status for his prolific career spanning now over 40 years. Oscar Hernández is the leader of the world renowned Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

Transforming the World through Reflections: More Creativity in the Business World" with two amazingly creative women in business. Maritza Collins, Multicultural Events and Communications Marketing Expert shares her wisdom on valuing our humanity in the workplace; and Sonia Smith-Kang, Social Impact Entrepreneur, Creator of MixedUp Clothing, shares her wisdom on aligning social justice values with business models that serve the community...AND MORE! Thank you for engaging us in noticing how creativity can guide the process to give of ourselves richly!

Many things have emerged or become apparent because of the pandemic, and we will explore that in our conversation. The focus is on the difficulties between couples, since the pandemic has forced them to face conflicts that they previously avoided navigating. On the other hand, we explore single life in the pandemic and ways to improve relationships with yourself before embarking on life as a couple. Thanks, Adeela "Docta Dee" Whittaker, for sharing your wisdom on ways to move through these challenges.

BEAUTIFUL WOMEN! Exploring 2020 through "The Rhythm of Blue"... What an amazing conversation with the cast of this documentary focused on mental health in the African Diaspora. Thank you to filmmakers Valaira Sa-Ra, JC Thomas, and Naoe; as well as Dr. Bree Cook, Spiritual Healer Zuri, and artists Kay Benjamin and Tamiyka White for so much inspiration! Our Diaspora's healing is at hand!

"Transforming the World through Reflections" was INSPIRING! Thanks, Ligia Grenald, for such insights about the opportunities to grow professionally that crisis offers us in the face of a pandemic. We explored healing stories that stunt our ability to serve with conscious purpose, so that we can amplify our gifts to the world! It was interesting to weave diverse ways in which our wellness can be enhanced when clearing the path to use our skills creatively for our communities' growth.

Thanks to clinicians Sheri Johnson, Nygil Palmer, Susan Lowe, Dr. Loretta Brazil, Dr. Carla Michelle, and Dr. Adeela Whittaker for such insights about the opportunities and challenges in this work, given the intersection between the pandemic and social injustice. This conversation about systemic oppression and community healing with a focus on the role of clinicians of the African diaspora was uplifting!

"Transforming the World through Reflections: The Arts Sustain Life". Today's conversation was POWERFUL! Listening to the artists' perspective on the pandemic, inter-generational-trauma, community healing, and being moved by ancestral memory and strength is a gift. Thanks D. Channsin Berry, Sheree Brown, and Brigette Dunn-Korpela for sharing your insights about the role of the arts in healing the world. May their words add richly to your reflections!

The "Transforming the World through Reflections" conversation focused on the healing power of religion and spirituality in the African Diaspora. Thanks, Pastor Kelvin Sauls, Pastor Najuma Smith-Pollard, and Pastor Nelson Edwards for guiding us in reflection.

"Transforming the World through Reflections" focused today on the artist's perspective on the pandemic and social injustice. What an enriching discussion about the healing power of the arts! Thanks, T. Faye Griffin, Kimiko Warner-Turner, Dayren Santamaría , and William Haddad for sharing your wisdom on this reflective conversation

Transforming the World through Reflections: Exploring the Many Faces of Survival in the History of Multi-generational Racism...It was heartening to engage in a conversation with a group of us mental health professionals about the impact of racism.Thanks, Dr. Makisha Lawrence and Dr. Loretta Brazil for sharing your insights and hopes for our healing journey.

A series focused on the pandemic and social injustice wreaking havoc on our wellness. The perspective of educators, clinicians, entrepreneurs, artists, and creators of non-profit organizations that contribute positively to the community will guide these discussions. It is essential to take into account diverse points of view in the healing and thriving process!