Two Wives and A Spark

Welcome to Episode 16 of Two Wives And A SPARK! This is our final episode of the season, and what a journey it has been. Today's episode is about preparing for what's next, the unknown.   Tune in as we discuss:  How we prepare for major changes Interracial layers that come up  Standing at the edge of a mountain looking out, not knowing what will come    Sending a BIG THANK YOU to all of you for being with us on this journey!  Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com  If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services

Welcome to Episode 15 of Two Wives And A SPARK! Today's episode is all about answering your questions! We love hearing the things y'all have been thinking about, talking about, and wondering in regards to our journey.  Tune in as we discuss:  Our fertility journey and finding a donor Our decision regarding who would carry Potential names our child will call us Resources that were invaluable throughout our journey The lack of visibility and resources for LGBTQ+ and non-binary pregnancies/parents Our thoughts on the education choices for our child And more!   We have been honored to be able to share our journey with our community--sending a BIG THANK YOU to all of you.   Resources:  If These Ovaries Could Talk Podcast Team 2 Moms Family Equality  Confessions of the Other Mother: Nonbiological Lesbian Moms Tell All! The Ultimate Guide To Pregnancy For Lesbians   Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com  If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services

Welcome to Episode 14 of Two Wives And A SPARK! Today's episode is Part 2 of our journey preparing for parenthood as an interracial couple.  Tune in as we discuss:  Our own childhood and upbringing (and how that informs the lenses we have) Preparing for maternity leave and learning about inequities in the parental leave space Additional decisions we're thinking about & discussing when it comes to raising a biracial child    We invite you to reflect on these questions with us:  What did this spark for you?  What do you want to talk more about?  What insights and questions came up?    Resources:  Priya Parker interview - On Being   Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services

Welcome to Episode 13 of Two Wives And A SPARK! Today's episode is all about our journey preparing for parenthood as an interracial couple. We talk about how our own personal values are helping shape our vision for our future and our family.  Tune in as we discuss:  Our own family values and how they inform our decisions  What we have learned about setting limits and living in alignment with those values over the past 6 months Navigating conversations about family as an interracial couple   We invite you to reflect on these questions with us:  What are your family values?  What have you learned about setting limits in service of those values?    Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services

Welcome to Episode 12 of Two Wives And A SPARK! Today's episode is about making the invisible visible. We talk through what it's been like for us to navigate the journey of making our internal experiences externally seen and known.  Tune in as we discuss:  The invisible layers we have had to navigate on our pregnancy journey The journey of starting SPARK and the behind-the-scenes layers most people don't know about Reconciling the fact that no one will ever know what it's truly like to be in our shoes but sharing anyway because growth can't happen without vulnerability The importance of saying things out loud and processing in community to make space for the growth   We invite you to reflect on these questions with us:  When has growing and sharing with others been vulnerable for you?  What will keep you inspired, encouraged, and engaged to keep growing?  What keeps you on the growth journey when it comes to conversations about race?     Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com  If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services

Welcome to Episode 11 of Two Wives And A SPARK! On today's episode, we are continuing our discussion about growth and talking about the necessity of shedding old layers.  As we grow and transform, oftentimes we begin to see things differently. We may notice the people around us and our relationships in a different light, and this can be an adjustment. While sometimes difficult to experience and process, this “shedding of layers” is absolutely necessary for growth.  Listen-in as we discuss:  Boundaries as a form of energy protection in growth The role of grief and acceptance as we shed layers of ourselves or versions of past relationships Creating and shedding habits throughout the growth process Our own personal growth throughout our fertility journey   We invite you to reflect on these questions with us:  What do you find yourself trying to let go of that keeps sticking around?  What habits have you tried to change to help yourself grow?  What dynamics are you wanting to shed at this phase of your life?   Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services      

“The only constant in the world is change” - Heraclitus Welcome to Episode 10 of Two Wives And A SPARK! Today's episode is all about the inevitable less-talked-about side of growth: resistance, change, breaks, and breakthroughs. We delve into these topics, and share a few stories both personally and professionally. Tune in as we discuss:  Our own relationship break and how it lead to a major breakthrough  How we navigate resistance professionally while facilitating conversations around race  The importance of creating space for discomfort, discernment, and reflection throughout the growth and change process   We invite you to reflect on these questions with us:  What has been hard for you to share out loud with others about your experience and your identity?  What's your ZPD (zone of proximal development) when it comes to conversations about race and racial dynamics? What breaks have led to breakthroughs in your life?    Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services  

Welcome to Episode 9 of Two Wives And A SPARK! We kick off today's episode with some really exciting news. Our theme for this season is “Growing Through Change,” and we are truly living this every day both in our personal and professional lives. Personally we are excited to share that we are growing our family! Tune in to today's episode as we share and discuss:  How growing our family has taught us about the power of time and space  The impact of growth and change when you are ready to “do the work” vs. when it is forced upon you Navigating the world around you when growth and change opportunities come   Questions to reflect on:  How have you grown or changed this past year?  What have you learned about the time and space necessary for growth in your life?  How have you been stretched--personally and/or professionally--this past year?    What did this episode spark for you? Let us know, even if your thoughts are half-baked, we'd love to hear!   Resources mentioned:  Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Ted Lasso (spoiler alert!)   Let's stay connected! We'd love to hear from you. Send us an audio message on Instagram or email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com and share your thoughts. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.

Hey y'all. It's Lia and Rachel from Two Wives And A SPARK, and we're back and excited to kick off Season 2! So much has happened since we left off, and this season is coming with lots of growth, newness, and excitement. We want to give you a little glimpse of what you can expect from this season. The theme for Season 2 is Growing through Change. We are going to talk about what growth and change have looked like for us through two lenses: as an interracial couple, and professionally through our as individuals who do equity and anti-racism work professionally. We're going to talk about the conditions that have helped us grow together (across our differences) and we're also going to have some real talk about the struggles, pitfalls, and challenges that have come with growth.   We look forward to sharing with you next week. Until then, we are sending you love and light.

“We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.”  - Malcolm XWelcome to the last episode of season 2 of Two Wives and A SPARK! It's been an amazing season with a lot of reflections and conversations, and we're so thankful you've been with us on this journey. In today's episode, we share some real-time reflections as we answer some questions together. We talk about the practices that keep us grounded when trying to be intentional and the importance of knowing and doing. We also talk about our comfort zones and stretch zones as we close out this season. We invite you to join us in some closing reflections this week. Here are some reflection questions as food for thought this week:  What lessons have you learned from this podcast?  How does S.P.A.R.K and being intentional show up in your relationships?  What closing intentions do you have for this summer?  What connections do you have to this episode?    As a reminder here's the S.P.A.R.K. acronym: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect conflict and messiness    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.   We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com 

“Incubate [my thoughts] in the womb of my mind before I birth them through the canal of my mouth. Once a thought is birthed, you can't retract it” - Bishop T.D. Jakes Thank you for joining us for another episode of Two Wives and A SPARK! Today we discuss the importance of taking necessary pauses in this work. We process out-loud and share some real-time reflections about some recent resistance we've felt and what it has taught us the past few weeks.  We also talk about the fact that sometimes we may have many great plans, but when something is out of alignment, it is on us to listen to and learn from that resistance as a teacher. Sometimes staying unattached to plans is the best thing we can do in this work. When we learn to shift when needed and trust the process (not rushing it), we become more agile, aligned, and adaptive--three important skills in this work.  We invite you to join us in exploring what it will take to move toward racial equity, racial justice, and racial harmony together.   As a reminder here's the S.P.A.R.K. acronym: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect conflict and messiness    Here are some reflection questions as food for thought this week:  Where are you feeling the need for a pause or a shift right now? Where are you noticing some resistance in your work?  What might that resistance be trying to tell you? Have you ever felt attached to plans and had to learn (for better or worse) to let go?  What was that like for you and what did you learn about yourself? What connections do you have to this episode?    Resources: Bishop T.D. Jakes interview  White supremacy culture characteristics    If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services. We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com 

“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin Welcome to episode 6 of Two Wives and A SPARK! In today's episode, we unpack what's required of us to go from knowing new information to doing something new in service of racial equity and racial justice.  We continue to talk about why micro-steps and micro-moments matter so much in this work as we share stories and lessons learned.  We invite you to join us in exploring what it will take to get toward racial equity, racial justice, and racial harmony together.   As a reminder here's the S.P.A.R.K. acronym: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect conflict and messiness    Here are some reflection questions as food for thought this week:  When was the last time you showed up (in service of going from knowing to doing) in conversations about race? What microsteps have you been taking?  What microspaces do you have for synthesizing learning?  What's something you're grappling with on your learning journey? What connections do you have to this episode?    Resources: Inclusion Starts With “I” Ebook An excerpt on fractals from Adrienne Maree Brown National Equity Project's resources on effective meetings making the most of your agenda   If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.  We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com

“Communication works for those who work at it.” John Powell Welcome to another episode of Two Wives and A SPARK! As a continuation of the previous episodes, today we will be talking about communication, engagement, and showing up. To build habits, consistent work and practice are essential. When we learn how to communicate with each other across racial differences and enter each other's spaces in new ways, we learn that discomfort almost always accompanies growth. Showing up for racial justice and racial equity requires that we are constantly mindful of all the micro-spaces and micro-steps. And that takes work. We will also be talking about how the creation of S.P.A.R.K. led to a lot of insights on the importance of showing up with intentionality, as well as some experiences we shared in our relationship that led us to share spaces and conversations with each other.  Join us on this episode and explore what it will take to get toward racial equity, racial justice, and racial harmony together. If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.    We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com    S.P.A.R.K. acronym: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect conflict and messiness    Here are some reflection questions as food for thought this week:  Do you recall a time recently when you were in the racial minority? If so, what was it like for you? What did you notice about how it impacted how you showed up? What were your microsteps and missteps (if any)?  What have you noticed about how you show up in interracial spaces and in conversations about race?  What connections do you have to this episode?    Resources: An excerpt from Brene Brown's talk on building trust  More about S.P.A.R.K., the card game  A few words on allyship here and here  Inclusion Starts With “I” Ebook

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou In today's episode of Two Wives and A S.P.A.R.K, we will be talking about what it takes to do better with our words and actions when it comes to interracial connections and conversations.  We talk about something called “the intention gap” and invite our community to reflect on the difference between intent and impact. We also invite folks to ask the following questions: What truly is my intention when saying certain things? Why am I acting this way? How am I holding myself accountable? What do I have to work on to be better?   Join us on this episode and explore what it will take to get toward racial equity, racial justice, and racial harmony together.   If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.  We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com  S.P.A.R.K. acronym: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect conflict and messiness  Resources: Inclusion Starts With “I” Ebook Racial Microagressions In Everyday Life White fragility

“Practice makes permanence.” - Mark Salinas  Welcome to the third episode of Two Wives and a SPARK! Today's episode starts with a story about a child who does not understand the amount of work it takes for a permanent marker to come off a desk. We talk about how that's a metaphor for a country still working on the stain that racism has left on its history.  We speak about how working for racial equity, racial justice, and racial harmony is like a marathon and not a sprint; just like a marathon makes your legs hurt, this specific marathon might make your heart and heart hurt at times. We also discuss the diligent work and patience required to address the stain of racism and how that journey resembles a marathon. In order to run a marathon, you must practice, learn, research, develop habits, and precisely understand how to embrace discomfort. It's about developing permanent habits and having permanent reminders.  Join us on this episode in exploring what it will take to get toward racial equity, justice, and harmony together. If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.    We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com. And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com  Questions to consider this week:  What marathon are you working on?  What is your “why” for this work?  What did this episode spark for you?    Resources:  Mark Salinas and The National Equity Project  Blog on committing to antiracism habits    S.P.A.R.K. acronym: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect conflict and messiness 

“For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. They may allow us to temporarily beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change. Racism and homophobia are real conditions of all our lives in this place and time. I urge each one of us here to reach down into that deep place of knowledge inside herself and touch that terror and loathing of any difference that lives here. See whose face it wears. Then the personal as the political can begin to illuminate all our choices.” Audre Lorde  In today's episode of Two Wives and A SPARK, we (Rachel and Lia Rosen) make a contrast between what our childhood was like and how one of us felt like that childhood was stolen from her. Lots of food for thought in this episode.    We are trying to create a world that we haven't seen; one that does not exist yet: one without racism. We describe what we've experienced since we have been together and how we see race as a couple.    Resources mentioned: Waking Up White, by Debby Irving White Fragility, by Robin DiAngelo To learn more about the phenomenal Audre Lorde, you can visit this link and check out the National Museum of African American History and Culture   If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.  We'd love to hear from you!  Let's connect on Instagram or via email (twowivesandaspark@gmail.com).    And check out our site: www.twowivesandaspark.com 

Hey y'all. It's Lia. We've had a lot of pain surface yet again in this country. There's lots of pain that is always going on in this country. But when it takes over the media outlets and social media becomes even more heightened in the lives of those of us who are usually carrying consciously and subconsciously pain that happens in this country every day.   This week I went back to my roots and did a little bit of writing. And I just thought I would share it with you.

“Community isn't always synonymous with warmth and harmony. Politeness is often a veneer for understanding when in reality it masks uncovered territory, the unspeakable pit that we turn from because we know the pain and anger that can dwell there. It is important to remind ourselves that real community is forged out of struggle. This is the crucible from which a real community grows.” Linda Christensen   Welcome to the first episode of Two Wives and A SPARK! In today's episode, you will meet us, Rachel and Lia Rosen, founders of S.P.A.R.K. We are in an interracial lesbian marriage and are very aware of how much race influences everything, so we're excited to share who we are, how we met, and also share our story and “why” for this work.  We're bringing two racial lenses to this conversation: Rachel as a white woman and Lia as a Black woman. Professionally we have been working in education for over a decade, and we actually met working at the same middle school tens years ago. Now we both facilitate conversations about racial equity, inclusion, and antiracism all the time. Lia is a school leader in Austin, Texas, and Rachel is a DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) Strategist and Facilitator.  We're sharing some of the conversations we have daily in hopes that it sparks a more nuanced conversation with others. One of the things we talk about is the S.P.A.R.K. acronym, which reminds us to show up to these conversations with intentionality: Show up authentically  Pause and listen Ask; do not assume Respect diversity Kindly expect messiness  If you're curious, here's more information on S.P.A.R.K. products and services.    We'd love to hear from you! Let's connect on Instagram or you can email twowivesandaspark@gmail.com 

Launching April 20th