Podcasts about bipoc

10 years in and still uncensored In this special 10-year anniversary episode, Sue and Ann reflect on a decade of Therapist Uncensored – how it began, how it's changed, and how the relationships formed have deepened along the way. They share candidly about the influence from our listeners in keeping them curious, accountable, and grounded, as well as the ways their own thinking has evolved through conversations with leading experts and thoughtful audience feedback. Together they explore the joys and tensions of teaching in the mental health space, including the importance of humility, questioning long-held assumptions, and recognizing the limits of any single perspective. This episode is both a celebration and a recommitment – to inclusivity, to amplifying diverse voices, and to ongoing learning in a field that is constantly evolving. And above all, it's a heartfelt thank-you to the community that has made the last ten years possible. “The podcast itself was going to be this incredible learning machine for us…and there were times we had to move our butts from expert to ignorant.” Time Stamps for 10 Years of TU: Growth, Reflections & the Future (289) 02:49 The journey of growth and learning 05:29 Bridging knowledge and accessibility 11:09 Challenging the traditional narratives 16:42 Navigating vulnerability in conversations 22:08 Lessons from public mistakes 24:58 The landscape of podcasting and mental health Resources & Action Items Nominate your favorite lightbulb moment or episode with our quick survey – therapistuncensored.com/nominations The Equalizer that Wasn't – Lessons Learned After Ten Years of Mental Health Podcasting – Sue’s newest blog for an even deeper dive $90,990 DONATED to mental health care for BIPOC communities, LGBQI+, trans and genderqueer individuals, artists, musicians and people experiencing homelessness – View HERE! Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!   Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others. Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s – Next one is January 23rd! Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount. Get your copy of Secure Relating here!! You are invited!  Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!! Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker! March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE! Please support our sponsors – they keep our podcast free and accessible to all!  Talkiatry is a 100% online psychiatry practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnoses, and ongoing medication management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Head to Talkiatry.com/TU and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

BIPOC creatives are still underrepresented in the travel industry — Aspen Cierra shares how collectives like Black Women Photographers and the Black Travel Alliance unlocked grants, press trips, mentorship, and access that led to Iceland, Jordan, and beyond. From a Nikon-backed grant to tourism board work and creator press trips, her journey shows how representation, shared resources, and showing up in the right spaces can change who gets seen — and who gets hired. This conversation is about building a career through alignment, visibility, and belonging in an industry still catching up.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/globetrotters-podcast--5023679/support.

“Education is the foundation”Jamarquan Houstonhttps://www.allmylinks.com/Stairkeepers“Representation shows you what's possible.” In this episode, educator and author Jamarquan Houston shares his journey from the classroom in Milwaukee to broader work advancing BIPOC representation and leadership. With experience teaching across K–12 and coordinating programs that expand opportunity, Jamarquan reflects on why Black educators matter, how seeing yourself reflected opens doors, and the realities of navigating the profession as a first-generation educator balancing purpose, pressure, and persistence.“Don't limit yourself—pack light and reach for the stars.” Jamarquan discusses the state of Black education, the importance of intergenerational leadership, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing world shaped by technology and innovation. He also shares how continuous learning, authorship, and storytelling sustain his joy, including his books Entitlements: The Right To Be Happy, Vol. 1. Grounded in legacy, self-discovery, and service, this episode highlights Black educators as guides helping students (and communities) turn struggle into possibility.

This week, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's campaign to boost Native youth wellness is expanding its reach across Minnesota, and an archival project is preserving Indigenous music for future generations.-----Producers: Dan Ninham, Deanna StandingCloud & Travis Zimmerman Editing: CJ Younger, Deanna StandingCloudAnchor: Marie RockEditorial support: Emily KrumbergerMixing & mastering: Chris HarwoodImage Credit: Watecha RecordsMusic Credit (in story 2): Buddy Red Bow, "Indian Love Song" from BRB, (First American records, 1980)-----For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

What happens when food becomes a blueprint for liberation? On this episode of All My Relations, we're joined by Chef Sean Sherman (Oglala Lakota) and journalist/co-author Kate Nelson (Tlingit) to talk about Turtle Island—a cookbook, a history lesson, and a future-facing manifesto for Indigenous food sovereignty. We get into what it means to remove colonial borders (and colonial ingredients), why Indigenous foodways are global and relational, and how Sean's nonprofit model is moving real resources back into Indigenous communities—from Native producers to Native jobs. Along the way: moose stew, fir tips, colonized palates, seed keepers, Buffalo Bird Woman's garden, and a clear-eyed conversation about ICE, labor, and who actually feeds this country. Food is the entry point—but sovereignty is the goal. Just change everything. Feed your people.++++ResourcesPurchase Turtle Island Today:  https://shoptidelands.com/products/books-whereas-copy?variant=47505083924728 To learn about Sean's work and North American Traditional Food Systemshttps://natifs.org/ https://seansherman.com/  Kate's Work: https://www.kateanelson.com/ Esquire Article: https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/restaurants/a36474711/chef-sean-sherman-owamni-indigenous-minneapolis-restaurant-profile/ Text us your thoughts!Support the showFollow us on Instagram @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Reading an excerpt from their chapter in Emergent Dharma. Enjoy (& go get the book!)Rev. Syd Yang, MDiv (they/them), is a mixed race/Taiwanese American queer trans/non-binary Buddhist Minister, movement chaplain, spiritual counselor and writer who engages decolonial possibilities for shared liberation through their practice, Blue Jaguar Healing Arts. Syd's work and writing finds its resonance in the stories we each hold at the intersection of memory, body, sexuality and mental health. Syd works primarily with queer and trans BIPOC as well as regularly leads workshops and facilitates community based practice spaces for wellbeing + healing justice, body liberation and recovery.www.bluejaguarhealingarts.com / IG @bodyliberationchaplain and @bluejaguarloveA few recent publications: (article) https://www.lionsroar.com/how-i-reclaimed-my-body/, (book / memoir) Release: A Bulimia Story, (podcast guest) Mending with Gold / Kintsugi Therapist Collective, (chapter) Emergent Dharma, (chapter) Q + A: Voices from Queer Asian North America

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

Today, we're excited to present Victoria Marie, an enrolled tribal member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. She's the founder and owner of Indigenous Lotus, a wellness program that combines yoga classes, tribal dance, exercise and meditation with an emphasis on helping people cope with stress and trauma. Those stressors can include PTSD, homelessness, sexual exploitation and poverty. In addition to classes and workshops, Indigenous Lotus has a line of streetwear. Victoria shares the story of how, at age seventeen, she dropped out of high school, became a new mom and found herself struggling with depression. Her quest for guidance led her to the local library. There she found a book on meditation. That formed the foundation of her healing journey. When her son got older, meditation also became a shared bedtime practice for mom and son. Later, yoga came into her life. After getting certified, she taught yoga and movement to the youth at Little Earth of United Tribes. That became the origins of Indigenous Lotus, her yoga studio. Her business has evolved to include public speaking, workshops, art and apparel. Victoria talks about how a recent health diagnosis gave her permission to slow down, step back and surrender. Victoria lives in Shakopee with her partner, their children, two dogs, three cats, and a rabbit who loves to shred cardboard.-----Hosts / Producers: Leah Lemm, Cole Premo Editor: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood Photo credit: Victoria Marie-----For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradioinstagram.com/mnnativenewsfacebook.com/MNNativeNewsNever miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

This week, we look back with an extended conversation between producer Dan Ninham and art curator, writer, and educator Heid E. Erdrich about creativity, collaboration, and the connections that shape her work.-----Producer: Dan NinhamAnchor: Marie Rock Editing: Britt Aamodt, Chris HarwoodEditorial support: Emily KrumbergerMixing & mastering: Chris Harwood----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

what a beautiful thing to witness: not once but twice visited by New Orlean's finest Krystle Cameron (she/her) :D she took a chance on our very first public retreat of 2025 and closed it out with us as Official Alumni at BOTH offerings geared towards BIPOC land stewards--I can't make this shit up! as Cazimi takes shape, nothing's more exciting than the gesture of collaboration, the YES of attending more than once as a sign of self commitment. we held this convo the last night of her visit to make note of all of what's brought her back for seconds~cover art: Rachel Abe, @rayrayrugsjingle: Ty Sorrell, @Ty_Sorrell

Send us a textA recurring theme on Dem Bois Podcast is the importance of friendship and chosen family. And in this episode, I sit down with two friends who have become family. Today I talk to Jota and Calvin, and we discuss the impact of community, the intersections of race and gender, and the importance of representation and self-acceptance in the trans community. Jota and Calvin also share their personal journeys and experiences, including the creation of workdatcxnt.We talk:11:58 - Visibility and self-identity23:44 - Reflections on masculinity and gender experiences36:34 - Building community and chosen family40:02 - Personal journeys into Ballroom51:11 - Work Dat CuntClick here for episode references!Read more about Jota in his bio below:Jota Kayodê Ramos is a Brazilian transmasculine multidisciplinary artist and activist based in Berlin. Holding a master's degree in Applied Social Sciences, his practice in performance, installation video and poetry is deeply informed by academic research. An active member of the Ballroom scene since 2019, he walks in AA Runway and TM Realness categories and has walked internationally in cities such as New York, Paris, Brussels, and across Brazil and Germany. Ramos is also one of the heads of Workdatcxnt and a member of the Brazilian Institute of Transmasculinity (IBRAT).IG - jotakayodeRead more about Calvin in his bio below:My name is Calvin - I'm 31 y/o and based in Berlin. I entered ballroom in spring 2023, walking TM Realness so far. By the end of 2023 I joined workdatcxnt and found this to be the perfect place for me to discover different categories in a masculine space. I started my transition in 2014 in an area with little to no queer BIPOC representation, so the workshops are also an amazing opportunity to just connect with fellow TM's and watch the transmasc community grow.IG - cal.crmCelebrate 10 years of Dem Bois Inc.! 2026 marks ten years of Dem Bois Inc. To honor this milestone, we invite you to join our 10 for 10 campaign by giving $10 a month to help sustain the care, leadership, and visibility that trans men of color deserve. Your support helps build a future rooted in care, visibility, and possibility. Donate today! Donate today to support Transmasc Gender Affirming Grants and Community Wellness Packages for Trans Men of Color! The Visibility = Possibility™️ Merch is here! - Not just merch, but a movement! Dem Bois Community Voices Facebook Group is a safe, moderated sanctuary where trans men of color can connect authentically, discuss podcast episodes, share powerful experiences, and build support networks. Dem Bois YouTube Channel! - @demboisinc - Exclusive content you won't find anywhere else!

Join us for this embodied & inclusive-focused discussion! It'll leave you wanting more so go out and get Emergent Dharma: Asian American Feminist Buddhist on Practice, Identity, and Resistance!Guest:Sharon A. Suh is Professor of Buddhism and Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship and Strategic Initiatives at Seattle University. She is author of Being Buddhist in a Christian World: Gender and Community in a Korean American Temple (University of Washington Press, 2004), Silver Screen Buddha: Buddhism in Asian and Western Film (Bloomsbury Press, 2015), Occupy This Body: A Buddhist Memoir (Sumeru Press, 2019), and editor/author of Emergent Dharma: Asian American Feminist Buddhist on Practice, Identity, and Resistance. She serves as president of Sakyadhita International Association of Buddhist WomenLinks to social media:www.mindfuleatingmethod.com; @mindfuleatingmethodRev. Syd Yang, MDiv (they/them), is a mixed race/Taiwanese American queer trans/non-binary Buddhist Minister, movement chaplain, spiritual counselor and writer who engages decolonial possibilities for shared liberation through their practice, Blue Jaguar Healing Arts. Syd's work and writing finds its resonance in the stories we each hold at the intersection of memory, body, sexuality and mental health. Syd works primarily with queer and trans BIPOC as well as regularly leads workshops and facilitates community based practice spaces for wellbeing + healing justice, body liberation and recovery.www.bluejaguarhealingarts.com / IG @bodyliberationchaplain and @bluejaguarloveA few recent publications: (article) https://www.lionsroar.com/how-i-reclaimed-my-body/, (book / memoir) Release: A Bulimia Story, (podcast guest) Mending with Gold / Kintsugi Therapist Collective, (chapter) Emergent Dharma, (chapter) Q + A: Voices from Queer Asian North AmericaHOST:Rev. Liên Shutt (she/they) is a recognized leader in the movement that breaks through the wall of American white-centered convert Buddhism to welcome people of all backgrounds into a contemporary, engaged Buddhism. As an ordained Zen priest, licensed social worker, and longtime educator/teacher of Buddhism, Shutt represents new leadership at the nexus of spirituality and social justice, offering a special warm welcome to Asian Americans, all BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, and those seeking a “home” in the midst of North American society's reckoning around racism, sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia. Shutt is a founder of Access to Zen (2014). You can learn more about her work at AccessToZen.org. Her new book, Home is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path. See all her offerings at EVENTS

In this episode, you'll meet Gabriella “Guitar Gabby” Logan, founder of Guitar Gabby & The TxLips Band. This global rock collective and strategy-focused organization uplifts BIPOC women and gender-expansive musicians. We explore her journey from law to music, how TxLips Band creates flexible touring opportunities, and why strategic thinking matters for sustainable creative careers.

Ever catch yourself thinking, “Why does this feel so weird without a drink?” You're not alone. In this episode, Coach Cole walks with Sally through the swirl of social pressure at kids' sporting events and helps her spot the doors that open when the “alcohol door” closes. Coach Soraya sits with Ava, who's noticing a growing gap between her knowledge and her actions. Together they explore sensitivity, fear, and the habits that keep us looping. We also name the common pain point—why quitting alcohol makes you feel alone—and show you how to replace isolation with honest connection. These Alcohol Freedom Coaching conversations are a sneak peek at life inside The Path. In Sally's Session: Feeling "stuck and lost" when navigating an alcohol-free life Challenged by feeling "different and stuck, separated from people" in social situations The pervasiveness of alcohol in healthy activities. Reframing being lost as an opportunity for self-discovery How curiosity acts as an antidote to shame about past drinking Using core personal values as guideposts when the path is unknown And more In Ava's Session: When insight doesn't equal action—what's actually missing Sensitivity as a superpower (not a liability) Habit loops vs. cravings: noticing “action → reaction” patterns Creating safety so change feels possible Trying tiny experiments that respect your nervous system Gentle supports: IFS, EMDR, and compassionate self-talk And more… Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. Learn more about Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach who blends somatic healing with therapeutic models to support recovery. She serves people who feel disconnected from their true selves and want freedom from substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. She takes a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach with a strong focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Why do I feel detached when I'm not drinking?-Reader Question- E122- https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-122-reader-question-feel-detached-im-not-drinking/ Finding Yourself Without Alcohol-Nisha's Naked Life-E836- https://thisnakedmind.com/how-do-you-socialize-without-alcohol-nishas-naked-life-e836/ Who Am I Without Wine?-Alcohol Freedom Coaching-E801- https://thisnakedmind.com/creating-a-new-identity-after-quitting-drinking-alcohol-freedom-freedom-coaching-e801/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, & more. Until next week, stay curious!

Make Morality Mainstream Again The adultification of teen fiction has intentionally Frankensteined books for teens into cesspools of ideological normalization. A while ago, I met a mother and her daughter, the latter of whom I hadn't seen in several years. On the cusp of turning twelve, she'd obviously grown in the time since, and, her mother proudly informed me, had become quite the reader. Indeed, the girl held quite a thick book in her hand. Which was it? The girl showed me the cover. I turned to the mother. “Do you know what your daughter is reading?” She'd figured telling her eleven-year-old she could read whatever was marked 14+ was a safe enough guardrail for appropriate content. As reading is an experience between book and reader, the mother wouldn't have seen what her daughter was taking in. She couldn't either know that her daughter's book was familiar not because it was something I'd read but because it was something I wouldn't. Worse, she thought she could trust the institution. THE READING DILEMMA Parents want kids to read, but as most can't keep up with their reading habits, they don't fully realize what's being allowed, even promoted, in books for young readers. As with other once vaunted institutions, the publishing world has morphed in ways many aren't fully aware of. Over a decade ago, I signed my first contract for Young Adult (YA) fiction. Before and since, I've watched the genre boom through the stages of audience demographic to viable business. Throughout, YA has expanded from books for teens to a genre unto itself, attracting talented writers, lucrative contracts, and the golden goose of Hollywood adaptations. YA is officially for readers 14-18 years (and up). However, as it's after Middle Grade (8-12 years), tweens are frequent readers, plus many eleven-year-olds reading up. There is “lower” and “upper” YA, but they're unofficial categories for libraries or writers specific about their target audience. Most retailers and publishers categorize all teen books under the general YA umbrella. NA, New Adult, mainly written for college-aged readers into their early twenties, is often sheltered under the YA umbrella too. Alongside the wider publishing industry, YA has changed significantly over the years, reflecting broader shifts in society. What follows isn't an analysis on talent or quality but content, as something about words in a book makes what's written more real, valid, romantic, admirable, aspirational. Thus, the intent is to shed light on some of the many topic and imagery that are included in books for young readers. At risk that this won't earn me any friends in publishing (at best), here's some of what I've seen: DEVOLUTION OF YA FICTION Growth of the YA audience/genre is an objective benefit, logical as it is to increase methods for targeting potential customers. As YA has increased in business and position, its morphing into genre unto itself has attracted many adults readers. As a YA author, I read mainly within my market and see the appeal for adult readers considering how well the genre's developed. The migration of older readers to YA is certainly one of the many reasons it's been so adultified. Other factors include the poisonous stranglehold ideological tentacles have on many aspects of culture, entertainment, and education. The shifts adults have finally caught onto in adult fiction and film have infected literature for younger audiences, picture books through YA. A quick example, originally, romantic comedies centered on a man and woman who clashed at the outset, then eventually found their way to each other at the end. The story would build to some romantic declaration, then a kiss. Anyone who's been watching knows that there's now a whole lot of touching that happens before any romantic declaration occurs. Longer, more frequent kisses are only second to scenes of the pair sleeping together before deciding how they really feel about each other. All this is becoming commonplace in YA. What was once cutesy stories about a high school girl chasing a crush has now become stories featuring a whole lot of other firsts, even seconds, and then some. The devolution of YA is a result of purposeful normalization and reshaping of societal norms through manipulatively emotional appeals by writers, agents, and editors. On average, books from larger publishing houses take roughly eighteen months to two years to evolve from contract to product on the shelf. To say, story trends are set in motion well before their rise in popularity. Whatever the view on agents as gatekeepers to the larger houses, publishers only publish so many books in a year, an amount significantly less than all the people who want to be published. Hence, agents act as preliminary filters for editors, whittling down potential authors to relatively more manageable numbers. An agent must really believe in a writer and project to nab one of those few spots. Like most creative fields, writing is highly subjective, so in addition to general quality, each agent and editor has preferences for stories they want to work with. They're also usually pretty clear about what they're looking for, so part of the progression of change can be traced back to what's being requested. CHARACTER INCLUSION CHECKLISTS When I first entered the “querying trenches,” wish lists from agents mainly specified genres and their various offshoots. Although ideologies make a home in all genres, most were subtler, more akin to a light sprinkling than the deluge of today. Within a few short years, wish lists changed. Unofficial “checklists” appeared in the now familiar cancerous categories of equity, representation, marginalization, and other socialist pseudonyms. Nonfiction for teens is dominated by activism, coming out, and adaptations of left-wing figures' biographies. Rather than prioritize quality, potential, uniqueness, the new gatekeeping is often focused on the inclusion of certain ideologies. For the first while, emphasis was on strong female characters, an odd request considering the YA market is dominated by female writers and readers. Previous character portrayal thus had little to do with some imagined patriarchal oppression. Now, female characters are “fierce”, projections of feminist fantasies celebrating girl bosses who are objectively pushy, uncooperative, obnoxious, self-righteous, and/or highly unrealistic. Somehow, they capture the most desirable love interest, a magical combination of masculinity and emotional vulnerability, who is inexplicably un-neutered by support of her domineering principles. Frequently, the girl makes the first move. Worse than overbearing feminism is unrealistic portrayals of a girl's physical abilities accompanied by most unsavory rage and wrath and anger. Supposedly, these traits aren't anathema to the gorgeous guys (when it is a guy) these girls miraculously attract. Unless there's a moth to flame metaphor here, it's a lie to pretend wrath is a healthy attraction. This well reflects the move away from what's become so-last-century stories featuring underdogs who searched deep for courage and heart to overcome challenges, raising up others alongside themselves. A time when character development focused on, well, character. More wholesome stories have been replaced with a self-proclaimed oppressed burning with self-righteous rage and violence. Such characters have seeped into fantasy for adults as well, most notably in armies featuring female combat soldiers and warriors without special powers, who somehow go toe-to-toe if not best male counterparts. Often this sort of matchup is shown as some cunning of smallness, agility, and destruction of arrogant male condescension. Never mind that such fighting is highly unrealistic, and any male is rightly confident if paired against a woman in physical combat. No amount of small body darting or ingenuity will save a girl from the full force of one landed male punch. The unquestioned portrayal of women able to best men in physical combat is worrying considering the real possibility of a reader confusing fact with fiction. Besides, a country which sends its women to war will no longer exist, as it's a country with males but not men. The current not-so-secret of major houses is that a book doesn't have a high chance of getting published if it doesn't check certain markers, especially for midlist and debut authors, though A-listers are not immune. A Caucasian is hardly allowed to write a story featuring a so-called BIPOC, but a straight author must somehow include the ever-expanding gay-bcs, and it must be in a positive light. Some authors were always writing these characters, which at least reflects acting of their own volition. For the rest, many didn't start until required. Because of the careful wording around these ideologies, many don't speak out against these practices so as not to appear hateful and bigoted. The mandated appearance of so-called marginalized and under-represented in stories lest the author risk erasing…someone, somehow also operates along these lines. Although, apparently, only very specific groups are at risk of disappearing. These standards are ridiculous in their least damaging iterations. How many so-anointed BIPOC were consulted over their standard portrayals? How can every individual of every minority be consulted for approval, and who chooses which faction decides? How many Latinos, speakers of gendered language, agreed to Latinx and Latine? Christian characters in mainstream publishing are rarely portrayed as steadfast believers or even rebels rediscovering faith. Jewish stories usually feature a character who's “lived experience” is assimilation, so the character is of a religion but doesn't represent it. A real portrayal of the true beliefs these characters come from would not align with the world mainstream publishing wants to shape. Even more ludicrous is that “disabled” and “neurodivergent” are considered identities, as if a physical or medical condition is cause for new labeling. The approach used to be that you are still you, worthy of respect and consideration, despite these conditions. In the glorified world of the self-hyphenate, the world of we-are-our-self-declared-identity, it's the foremost feature mentioned, with accompanying expectation of praise and exaltation, regardless of an individual's character or behavior. Don't confuse the argument against the labeling with the individuals, because they are separable. Worse than the tokenism is the reduction of individuals to secondary characteristics. Is this really the first thing you have to say about yourself, the most essential thing to know? When did it become norm to turn skin color or medical condition or physical ability into a character trait, the very notion of which says that anyone in this group must be viewed primarily through this lens, as if each is exactly the same? How myopic. How belittling. Following the cue set by movies, books for teens also morphed from cutesy rom-coms to ideological showcases. Unsurprisingly, there's been the introduction of the stereotypical gay best friend. Then storylines focusing on coming out or discovering someone close was gay, with accompanying template for writing them. The one coming out is always the strong one, the resilient one, though much language must be banned lest they be offended or erased, so their strength is dependent upon a carefully constructed bubble. Not only is inclusion necessary but happiness is the only possible, deliberately portrayed reaction. Never mind if some or all of it runs counter to a writer's religious beliefs. Moreover, “I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I'll still treat you with respect” was never an acceptable response. And it is an acceptable response in all manner of situations, unless you exorcise it in efforts to forcibly shape a particular worldview. Additionally, the attitude is that since you can't tell me who to love, and loving this person makes me happy, you must not only ally but champion me. Why is it offensive to present different acceptable, respectful reactions to teens? Who exactly is erased if this character isn't presented at all? As before, don't confuse the argument against mandate with the individuals. The contention isn't about love, but about religion protecting the sanctity of romantic relationships and marriage, a religious practice since the dawn of time, as seen across centuries and civilizations. Marriage is described as sanctified and holy, because it's Divine in nature, and thereby under the domain of the religious. If it's just a contract, then of course any government can regulate it. It’s disingenuous to deny that such enforcement clashes with the very nature of what writing is about. It shuts down discussion, then subverts it entirely by pretending there's nothing to debate. That shouldn't be a source of pride for publishing, but deepest shame. In their efforts to supposedly widen the window of story matter, they've narrowed the frames and tinted the panes to exclude suddenly unacceptable voices entirely. PORNOGRAPHY AND CONSENT Compounded upon all this, most books are no longer relatively clean romances building to a single kiss, as every stage of the relationship has become more explicit. Some scenes are akin to manuals, containing the sort of imagery once the sole province of steamy romances. When efforts are rightly made to remove these books from shelves, screeches of censorship! erasure! representation! resound. We wouldn't, and shouldn't, tolerate any adult approaching a kid on the street and telling stories with such description, nor should we allow it from close friends or family. Authors do not hold special status in this, no matter what the screechers screech. Taking such books off shelves isn't an indication of bigotry, intolerance, hatred, or erasure, but moral obligation. The counterargument from writers, agents, and editors is that explicit detail is necessary because of something to do with “lived experiences” and consent. First, if kids are doing it anyway, then adults definitely needn't assist. Second, consent is not quite the magical word society would have us believe. Third, “everyone has different experiences” is not a reason for writing graphic content, and the replacement of “intimacy” with “experience” is largely responsible for why relationships are in the gutter and leaving people unfulfilled. Intimacy is something private between two individuals; experience is a vague euphemism to pass off what should matter as transitory, despite irrevocable effects. It's difficult to imagine in an age when phones, cameras, and microphones track a person everywhere, but there was once an ideal called privacy, and the intimate was part of it. Pushback also leads to defenses of “sexuality,” another way of saying adults want to teach kids all kinds of ways to pursue these “experiences”. Changing the wording doesn't alter the nature but does allow immoral actors to force celebration of their fantasies and fetishes. The wrongness is incontestable, though not surprising from those who promote polyamory for teens and romantic relationships between humans and demons or other ungodly creatures. The feeble argument for writing scenes of teens sleeping together is they must see what consent looks like. Again, authors do not hold special status or exemption. There is no strong enough argument for writing scenes for teens in which one character undresses another and verbally asks permission every step of the way. Especially because the new trend seems to be the girl not only “consenting”, but also a burning I want this. If she wants, this wording implies, then she must have, abandoning all reason and morality. Consent has become an excuse for all sorts of undesirable, immoral, even illegal behavior, but mutual agreement is supposed to make it okay. This isn't the behavior we should be promoting for teens; we should be giving them better things, bigger ideas to think about. Worst of all, why is any adult writing about two sixteen-year-olds sleeping together? A teenager, no matter how mature, is still developing and while smart and clever not really old enough to fully understand what she's “consenting” to, and is probably being taken advantage of. We treat eighteen with the same magical power as consent, as if any age should be sleeping around, even if legalese only extends so far. Teen pregnancy, abortion overall, would hardly be an issue if everyone stopped sleeping with people they shouldn't. Any adherent to morality knows this, though morality is just another thing scuttled from teen fiction. G-dless ideology is the new morality; immoral, manmade gods have replaced G-d; lust is the new love; sexuality excuse for pornography; perceived racism and misogyny validation for violence and rage. Many are we who did not consent to this. These scenes are in teen films as well, though how many parents know this in an age of individual devices? Adults pretending to be teens take each other's clothes off before a camera for real tweens, teens, and/or adults to watch. Please explain in clear and simple language why this is not a form of pornography. What absolutely vital role does this scene have in advancing the story? Consent is not enough. Wanting is not enough. We're encouraging teens to turn their bodies into used cars, dented, scraped, scarred, and baggage laden, for what? Why is this hollowing out of self and morality good? This serves no benefit for teens and the overall state of relationships. Consent has become an excuse for all sorts of undesirable, immoral, even illegal behavior, but we're supposed to think that everyone agreeing makes whatever they agree to okay. It's incredibly obvious that feminism and the sexual revolution didn't free women, but chain them in a prison of animalistic, unsatisfying desire, dooming them to jadedness, frustration, and loneliness. But they're so responsible! So mature! By such logic, a responsible sixteen-year-old should be able to buy guns, alcohol, and drugs. But identity! No, identity doesn't mandate a book with graphic imagery, nor is it “sexuality” or “feeling seen” or any other term you hide behind. Witness the tattered remains of social morality that writers do not balk at writing this for teens. They should balk at writing this for anyone. Once we recognized that betterment came through battling temptations. It is not difficult to see how the enforced normalization of all this was also an effective ridding of undesirable shame. Not only have we banished feeling bad, we've enforced celebration of what shame once kept in line. But they'll never be prepared! How did any of us get here if none of this existed for millennia? But look at the sales! Many people also bought rock pets. Deviants and defenders will attempt to claim that (a) this sort of stuff always existed, which isn't really a reason for its continuance, and (b) previous generations were undoubtedly stifled in their inability to express their true selves. Perhaps. And yet, previous generations built civilization, with significantly less medical prescriptions too. Previous generations were better at family and community, meaning and purpose. We have “experiences.” But this is what married people do! Some writers introduce a faux or rushed marriage into the plot, perhaps because their weakening moral compass prevents writing an explicit scene between unmarried characters. Marrying the characters and making them eighteen doesn't magically okay writing this for teens. Everyone does it—indeed there are many common bodily functions which shouldn't be demonstrated in public—isn't either reason enough. Pressures to include these scenes is evidenced by authors long regarded as “clean” storytellers, authors who won't swear or indulge in graphic or gratuitous content, authors who clearly express Christian beliefs in their acknowledgements, writing them too. Would they give this book to their priest? To a young church member? Would they read the scene aloud for family or friends or the very teens they write for? If even the professed religious authors do not have the fortitude to oppose this, if even they can be convinced of the supposed validity, then gone is the bulwark protecting children from the psychological and moral damage resulting from these scenes. But inclusivity! We must reflect the world around them! Considering what's in these books, all should pray teens aren't seeing this around them. Either way, that doesn't excuse writing about it. Moreover, cries for inclusivity from those shutting down differing opinions are inherently without substance. True inclusivity is achieved when stories focus on universal truths and laudatory values shared by all. The fundamental argument is that “could” is not “should”, and the only reliable arbiter between the two is Divinely-based morality. Current permissiveness is only possible in a society which worked for decades to expunge religion from its vital foundational position and influence. The demonization piled atop its degradation was simple insurance that the moral truths of religion wouldn't interfere with the newly established secular order. We can still be good people, they claimed. Witness the tattered remains. Allowing, championing, this sort of writing has not made us better, and instead of listening to concerns, activists and proponents double down. Need you any proof of the separation between ethics and morality and elitism and academia, scroll through an article or two in defense of these scenes. The more “educated” the individual, the twisted the pretzel of rationalization. Rational lies, all of them. These lies are prominently center of the new crusade against so-called “book banning,” although the books are still available at retailers and publishers. Fueled by self-righteous hysteria, activists take great pride in influencing state legislatures to enact decrees against book bans in protection of “lived experiences,” representation, and the like. If a teen doesn't see two boys or girls or more sleeping together, so the thinking goes, then they face imminent, unspecified harm, never mind that their sacred voice has been quashed. They claim BIPOC and queer authors are specifically targeted, failing to mention it's the content not the author rejected. Somehow the bigots are the ones who don't want kids reduced to “sexuality”, while the tolerant are the ones who do. Need anyone ask if these protections extend to writers who don't align or even disagree with their worldview? I'd say these books are better suited for adults, but adults are despairing of the unreadability of books in their categories too. And that aside from the targeted “decolonization” of books and authors that adults, especially men, enjoyed reading. From the myriad of books extant, no plot was ever turned, no story ever dependent upon an explicit scene, in the bedroom or elsewhere. Neither does such render the work art or literature, but rather indecent and abhorrent. Parents struggle to encourage their kids to read when such are the books available. ELIMINATING THE WEST For some time, agents have specifically requested non-western narratives, histories, and legends. Atop the deteriorating state of the current education system, teens aren't being presented with a fictionalized character in history, which may thereby spark interest and curiosity in real history. No wonder they know so little of the past when they're not offered history at all. What does make it in represents very select time periods. Other permitted historical fiction is alternative histories where the past is magicked or reimagined, almost always in some gender swapped way. While alternative histories can be creative, the lack of regular historical fiction seems to indicate the only permitted history is a remade one. Otherwise, most of western history isn't on shelves because no one wants to represent it. Which means no one's fighting for it to be published. Which means young readers aren't given glimpses into the past that made this present and will highly influence the future. And this from those who claim large swaths of the population don't properly teach history. The same who pushed the fabricated and widely debunked lie that slavery was unique to the west, the only culture who actively sought to end it. The same who have yet to consider the absolute necessity of mandating schools to teach the true horrors of communism done right. The same who have a monochrome view of colonization and chameleon approach to the faux oppressed-oppressor narrative. A rather high volume of Asian-based stories, histories, and mythologies fill the market instead. The proliferation of Asian and other eastern fiction isn't objectively concerning, but it's deliberate increase alongside western stories' deliberate decrease is. It's less an expansion of viewpoints and more a supplanting of anything west. I grew up reading historical fiction, but there's a dearth on shelves for teen readers, who must see where we come from through the eyes of characters resembling our ancestors. Instead of walking through time in their shoes and understanding their struggles in the context of when they lived, we project modern ideologies upon the one protagonist somehow vastly ahead of her time. It's deliberately false and disconnects readers from the world that created the one we live in. Whatever your opinion of our world, it was formed in those histories, and we cannot appreciate the present without understanding the world that made it. MENTAL HEALTH Another major trend in teen fiction is the focus on the broad category of mental health, its emergence unsurprising considering the uptick in modern society. Whatever the viewpoint on diagnoses, the truth is that the ones calling for greater awareness have much to do with having caused the issues. Teens living in the most prosperous, free society that ever was should not have such measures of mental health struggles, yet they do. Skim the messaging of the last several decades and it's no wonder why. Teens are raised on a bombardment of lies and damaging viewpoints resulting in a precarious Jenga structure at their foundation. For decades they've been told they can sleep around without lasting consequence, negating the need to build deep, lasting, exclusive relationships. Families, a fundamental source of meaning and grounding, have been shoved aside for the faux glory of sleeping with whomever, whenever, and the new solution of “found family”. Just because a pill supposedly prevents biological consequences doesn't mean a different sort of toll hasn't been exacted. And that follows the perpetual degradation of dress, reducing the entirety of an individual to a form as valued or devalued as any other physical object. Added to the disrespect of the body is the incessant, unfounded claim that “climate change” is going to destroy the planet by…well, soon. Never mind that we're doing better than before, and all predictions have been proven wrong. Imagine what continual doom and gloom does to the mental state of a teenager already grappling with ping-ponging hormones, who should be presented with optimism for the future they're about old enough to create. Well, we have a pill for that too. Teens have been told the American dream is gone by those who set out to destroy it, that American greatness isn't worth dreaming about by those who recolored it a nightmare. Hobbies and collected skills, the work of their own hands, have been shunted for social media trends and unfettered internet access. Phones are given to younger and younger kids, so they don't grow up in the tangible, real world but an algorithmic, digital one. Inevitably, the worst of that world affects them. They're told that they're hated, feared for the way they were born. They're told they're not even who they've been since birth, basic facts purposely turned into issues and doubts to shake the foundation of self. Those most adamant about the contrived need for teens to discover identity are the most diligent at axing their very roots. The response to the mental health crisis, the jadedness, the internal turmoil they've helped facilitate by destroying the enduring, reliable fabric of society is to encourage more of the same empty, hollowing behaviors. Atop all this is never-ending rage, rage, rage. At the base is the deliberate removal of religion. No matter an individual's choice of observance, religion undeniably provides what liberal society and decadence cannot; meaning. Eternal, enduring meaning. The knowing that you're more than a clump of cells passing through this timespan, because you are an integral link in a chain reaching back millennia. Your ancestors didn't endure hardships or fight to build civilization so you could be the end of the line, but so you could gratefully take your place in it. You and your actions matter. Not because you're a political vote or celebrated community, but because you were made in the image of G-d Who woke you today as there's something only you can do in His world. What effect would the proliferation of this messaging in literature have on the mental state of the youth? And for those pontificating about diversity and inclusion, who in truth only want different skin colors espousing the same beliefs, there is no greater unifier than religion. Belief in a higher power unites individuals of different backgrounds, colors, and, most valuably, opinions, in ways no mandate or ideology ever can. While lengthy, the above in no way encompasses all the changes, reasons, and effects pertaining to the devolution of teen fiction. And, as the focus is not on talent but content, it can be shifted as easily as it was before. You may disagree with everything I've written. You may accuse me of jealousy, hatred, bigotry, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, erasure, et al. I only encourage you to look for yourself. Peruse bookstore aisles; click through new releases; check who's getting awards. What do your eyes see?

This week, an extended conversation from a past segment about the traditional methods of harvesting and processing wild rice. -----Producer: Chandra ColvinEditing: Britt Aamodt Anchor: Marie Rock Mixing & mastering: Chris HarwoodPhoto: Courtesy of Robert Rice for Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund 

Send us a textWinter trails, fresh stories, and a brand-new season of Hikes & Mics. We're kicking things off with a special bonus conversation — a returning mountaineer whose journey from the Pacific Northwest to the summit of North America's tallest peak reminds us what resilience really looks like.Then we launch into Season 13 with guests who push the edges of adventure and creativity — from a survivalist whose time in the wilderness tested grit and teamwork, and who now brings that same creative spirit into her life off-trail… to an outdoor educator whose path has carried him from the volcanic spine of the Northwest to the desert canyons of the Southwest.We'll travel north to the snow-capped landscapes of the Canadian Rockies… hear powerful stories of community and belonging from a group opening the outdoors to BIPOC families… and step into the world of long-distance love stories built mile-by-mile on some of the world's great trails.This season also brings reflections from authors, physicians, musicians, founders, and thru-hikers — voices who remind us that the trail is more than a place… it's a teacher.Season 13 runs through the winter hiking season — and it all begins December 29th. Lace up… and let's hit the trail together.This Season was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeysFollow us on Instagram, @HikesandmicsAllTrails+I'm excited to share that I'm now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you'll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don't forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

I In the Season 6 finale of the Please Me Podcast, host Eve Hall is joined by Mistress Mia Darque, a professional dominatrix and BDSM educator with over 26 years of experience. This final installment of the Kink Education Series dives deep into power exchange, consent, sexual empowerment, and the importance of BIPOC representation in the kink community. Designed for both newcomers and experienced practitioners, this episode explores dominance and submission psychology, communication, trust, and inclusive kink education. Mistress Mia also discusses nuanced BDSM practices, including sissification and corporal punishment, offering guidance for those curious about these dynamics. What We Cover in This Episode Power exchange and its role in BDSM beyond physical sensation Consent, trust, and communication in kink dynamics The psychology of dominance and submission BIPOC history, influence, and representation in BDSM The importance of kink education and community storytelling Guest Information Mistress Mia Darque – Professional Dominatrix & BDSM EducatorWebsite: https://www.justsayred.com Host Information Eve Hall – Host, Please Me PodcastWebsite & Resources: https://pleaseme.online Sponsors & Resources Shameless Care – . Use code PLEASEME for $15 off.https://shamelesscare.com SDC  – . Free trial code 37340.https://sdc.com Parlor Games – https://www.parlor-games.com/shop/?AFFID=571343 LifeWave – https://lifewave.com/PleaseMe Bonnie's Herbals – https://www.bonniesherbals.com/?AffId=3 CAKES –https://cakesbody.com/?ref= Support the Show Please Me Podcast Patreon – Support the show and access exclusive content.https://patreon.com/PleaseMePodcast Be a Guest on Please Me Podcast – Apply via PodMatch.https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/beaguestonpleasemepodcast Giving Back World Vision – Philippines Disaster Relief – Supporting humanitarian aid and recovery efforts.https://www.worldvision.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the very events that bring you the most joy are also your biggest source of fear when it comes to staying alcohol-free? Chris struggles with drinking at family celebrations and sports games, while T returns to The Path after two years alcohol-free that felt emotionally flat, wondering how to enjoy life without alcohol and still feel excitement and relaxation. Coach Cole helps Chris use visualization and an experiment mentality for upcoming social events, while Coach Soraya supports T in seeing how childhood invisibility shaped her relationship with herself and alcohol.  Chris's session: “First freaking times” at pool parties & games—turning triggers into experiments Visualization: practice the event ahead of time BYO plan: NA drinks & a Yeti cup—have something in your hand Confident energy: own your choice & invite others to try NA options Post-event “data”: what felt better, what needs tweaking, what you learned Creativity over consumption: swapping late-night drinks for art, Legos, & family time How to enjoy life without alcohol by focusing on presence, play, & connection T's session: Why two alcohol-free years felt “flat” & what “flat” was protecting Relational safety: being validated & verbally known as a path to joy Feeling your way (not thinking) into wants, rituals, & evening routines Naming numbing: alcohol as anesthetic & what it tries to solve Gentle self-worth rebuild through safe, supportive people Micro-experiments: sunset walks, movement, tiny creative reps How to enjoy life without alcohol by restoring self-connection & belonging Cole Harvey is a certified Naked Mind Senior Coach. For years, he felt lost and used alcohol as a way to cope, until he decided to go alcohol-free and focus on finding his purpose. Through curiosity, self-compassion, and adventure, he transformed his life. As a habit change and mindset coach, Cole helps young men understand themselves, build better habits, and find meaning. More on Coach Cole: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/cole-harvey/ Soraya Odishoo is a Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach focuses on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya's passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing. More on Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: What's the Secret To Finding Purpose After Stopping Drinking? – Reader's Questions – E640 – https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-640-readers-question-whats-the-secret-to-finding-purpose-after-stopping-drinking/ Alcohol Free Firsts - Coaching Questions - E265 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-265-coaching-questions-with-scott-pinyard Finding Your True Self and Building Genuine Connections Without Alcohol - Alcohol Freedom Coaching - E821 - https://thisnakedmind.com/building-genuine-connections-without-alcohol-e821/ Ready to take the next step on your journey? Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Quince: Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura's Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

Guests: Vicki R. Deal-Williams, ASHA's Chief Executive Officer, and Perry Flynn, 2026 ASHA President ElectEarn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/the-future-of-slhThis episode is a collaboration with the Keys for SLPs podcast, hosted by Mary Beth Hines, MS, CCC-SLP. Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S joins as a co-host to welcome ASHA leadership Vicki R. Deal-Williams, MA, CCC-SLP, FASAE, CAE, ASHA's Chief Executive Officer, and Perry Flynn, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, CTRI, ASHA-F, 2026 ASHA President Elect for an inside look at the evolving speech-language-hearing professions.Together, they will explore emerging technologies, workforce trends, and ongoing efforts to recruit and retain professionals, particularly those from BIPOC communities. The conversation will also highlight the SLP Interstate Compact and offer practical guidance for students and early-career professionals navigating the changing landscape of the field.About the Guests:Vicki Deal-Williams serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), where she has been a valued team member for more than three decades. A Certified Association Executive and distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Vicki is also an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist and ASHA Fellow. Her expertise lies in cultivating leadership, aligning strategic goals with organizational priorities, and navigating teams through transformation with clarity and purpose. She is known for her ability to authentically build strong, collaborative relationships and to foster a welcoming culture where everyone feels they have a voice. Through clear vision, steady guidance, and deep commitment, she works alongside volunteer leaders and members, students, vendors, partners, and staff to advance ASHA's mission, achieve optimal results, and ensure lasting impact.Perry Flynn, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, CTRI, is the Consultant to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in the area of Speech-Language Pathology and a Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a two-time member of ASHA's Board of Directors, and a Board Certified Specialist in Child Language. He is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Certified Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor. He has presented several times at ASHA Conventions on the topic of recruiting and retaining men and minorities in speech-language pathology and has written several articles on the topic.

This week, a conversation with Corey Medina of the Bemidji band, Corey Medina and Brothers, about their upcoming New Years Eve concert. Plus, an extended interview with American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council member Lisa Bellanger.-----Producers: Travis Zimmerman and Emma Needham Editing: Britt Aamodt, Emily KrumbergerEditorial support: Emily KrumbergerAnchor: Marie Rock Mixing & mastering: Chris HarwoodPhoto courtesy of Corey Medina & Brothers, Sage Davis.-----For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

Join me and my guest April Sheris.  April is a pioneering force in media and cultural entrepreneurship, redefining BIPOC storytelling on a global scale. Upland Studios, which started in 2012, is a multifaceted empire celebrated for amplifying diverse voices, with Shereice having over 12 years of experience in publishing, media, and innovation. She also founded New Mexico's first on-rail book club in partnership with NM Railrunner Express and has taught marketing at the University of New Mexico through the Small Business Administration.April SherisInstgram: @aprilsherisWebpage: www.uplandstudios.comhttps://booksarethenewrich.comFacebook: April SherisWould you like to be a guest or sponsor?Contact us at: ⁠⁠https://www.levelingupthepodcast.com/shop⁠⁠Reach Dr. Alethia Tucker by going to: Email: atucker@joleaseenterprises.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachalethiatuckerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alethiaatuckerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joleaseenterprises/Facebook: www.facebook.com/alethiatucker

Today, we're excited to welcome Cole Redhorse Taylor to the Native Lights podcast. Cole is Mdewakanton Dakota and a member of the Prairie Island Indian Community. He's an artist, and has worked in many mediums: drawing, painting, beadwork, quill work, hockey helmets. He's created contemporary and traditional pieces heavily inspired by the artwork of his ancestors. And of course, if you're a sports fan, you may have seen his collaborations with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Wild. Cole never thought of himself as an artist when he was growing up. Didn't he have to be able to draw a realistic portrait to be considered an artist? He couldn't do that. It was only later he realized he'd been making art all along, creating traditional beadwork, but not realizing it for the art it was. He shares with us his evolving journey as an artist and how his art connects him to community. He also chats about books, travel, Disney World, the surprise controversy surrounding the hockey helmet designed for the Minnesota Wild goalie, and advice for up and coming artists.-----Hosts / Producers: Leah Lemm, Cole Premo Editor: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood-----For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradioinstagram.com/mnnativenewsfacebook.com/MNNativeNewsNever miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

This week, how community members involved in the annual ceremony remembering the Dakota men hung by the United States government in 1862 in Mankato will now honor the Dakota women present, too. Plus, a look at the first Ojibwe broadcast of a hockey game in the country – here in Minnesota.-----Producers: Chaz WagnerEditing: Chaz Wagner, Emily Krumberger Editorial support: Emily KrumbergerAnchor: Marie Rock Mixing & mastering: Chris HarwoodPhoto Credit: Dan Ninham----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

This week, NüVoices host and founder Joanna Chiu joins NüVoices editor and board member Jessie Lau to discuss their exciting new life chapters that extend their vision of NüVoices.From launching the website of NüVoices in a cafe in Beijing in 2018, to now creating two new initiatives that continue to amplify women's and BIPOC voices, Joanna and Jessie discuss what drove them to begin this more entrepreneurial chapter of their lives. They also reflect on their China reporting in the past decade and their takeaways for emerging China journalists and professionals.

Send us a textWhat does great IBD care look like when the system won't make it easy? We sit down with Dr. Adam Ehrlich, Section Chief of Gastroenterology at Temple Health and GI fellowship program director, to explore how he builds patient-centered care in an underserved setting—where insurance denials, missing records, and real-life logistics collide with complex disease.We talk about health literacy, trust, and the conversations that actually change outcomes. Adam explains how he frames risks and benefits with clarity, why the “risks of doing nothing” deserve equal airtime, and how he balances mode of therapy—IV, subcutaneous, or oral—against lifestyle, trauma history, pregnancy plans, and coverage rules. We dig into prison medicine's constraints, from medication access to policy barriers around scheduling, and the creative problem-solving required to keep patients safe and informed. He shares why being honest about uncertainty builds credibility, and how an early investment in patient education pays off with better monitoring and shared targets for remission.The episode also gets practical about personalization. We discuss drug levels with infliximab when severe colitis “loses” medication into the stool, when it's wise to de-escalate dosing, and how habits from flare days can persist after inflammation settles. Adam offers tools to retrain routines, navigate IBS overlap, and align care with quality of life goals like driving, work travel, and showing up at a kid's soccer game without anxiety. As a fellowship director, he reveals how he equips new gastroenterologists to handle today's broader therapy menu, think beyond flowcharts, and advocate through insurance barriers with persistence and purpose.If this conversation resonates, tap follow, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more people find practical, human-centered IBD care.Links and organizations to follow! Color of Gastrointestinal Illness (COGI)- mission to improve quality of life for BIPOC who are affected by IBD and other GI issues. The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation - mission to eliminate health disparities and improve outcomes for individuals and communities affected by Inflammatory Bowel Diseases through comprehensive support services, with priority given to underserved populations facing the greatest barriers to healthcare.Strategic Alliance for Intercultural Advocacy in GI (SAIA)- mission to create culturally sensitive resources, research, and education for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers managing chronic GI conditions in order to minimize delays, dispel stigma, promote early diagnosis, and improve access to treatment for all.Let's get social!!Follow us on Instagram!Follow us on Facebook!Follow us on Twitter!

This episode contains a discussion of childhood trauma, abuse, & emotional neglect. What if the key to your alcohol freedom lies in a past you've been trying to outrun? In this powerful episode, Path members Sian and Darci face the past. Darci shares her journey of drinking to escape memories of abuse while Coach Soraya helps unburden her inner child. Coach Zoe guides Sian through emotional suppression and self-judgment from a perfectionistic childhood. Both coaches help these members find healing and freedom from alcohol, exploring how childhood wounds create coping mechanisms and how you can feel and move through emotions instead of numbing them. Sian's Session: How a perfectionistic childhood created inadequacy beliefs Using alcohol to quiet self-judgment & numb emotions Being a "silent child" & emotionally suppressed The connection between suppressed emotions & adult rage Understanding the inner critic as an adaptive child needing compassion Learning to set boundaries after people-pleasing And more… Darci's Session: Connecting with her inner child through trauma work The feeling of being "blocked" from her true self Finding safe space to release painful memories Using IFS therapy to heal parts of the self Visualizing & burning painful memories Letting go of needing all the answers about trauma And more… Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life's big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. More on Coach Zoe: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/  Soraya Odishoo is a Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach focuses on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya's passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing. More on Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Related Episodes: Using Alcohol To Numb Pain - Naked Life Story – Simone - E207 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-207-naked-life-story-simone/ How to start healing from numbing? - Coaching Questions - E564 - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-564-coaching-questions-how-to-start-healing-from-numbing/ How To Show Up For Yourself and Stop Drinking – Meet Our Coaches – E831 – https://thisnakedmind.com/how-to-show-up-for-yourself-and-stop-drinking-e831/ Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince:Find gifts so good you'll want to keep them with Quince. Go to ⁠⁠Quince.com/naked⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns  Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at ⁠⁠Hungryroot.com/nakedmind⁠⁠ with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠Shopify.com/mind⁠⁠  Aura Frame: Get $35 off Aura's Carver Mat frame at ⁠⁠AuraFrames.com⁠⁠ with promo code NAKEDMIND Masterclass: Get 15% off any annual membership at ⁠⁠MasterClass.com/NAKEDMIND⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Yolanda "Yo" Lopez Haugabook, co-founder of Sin Miedo Trail Runners, a BIPOC-led movement that is changing the face of trail running. Sin Miedo, which means fearless, is all about creating safe and inclusive spaces where runners of color can reclaim the outdoors and run free. We dive into the story behind the movement, the challenges of navigating spaces that have historically lacked diversity, and the importance of community, representation, and belonging. Yo shares her personal experiences, lessons learned, and the vision for a trail running world that is welcoming to everyone. This conversation is for anyone who loves the trails, believes in equity, or wants to understand how courage and community can transform outdoor spaces.

In this episode of Your Strategist Is In, Dr. Loren M. Hill continues the three-part end-of-year arc by naming December's quiet but critical leadership work: discernment. As higher education remains unstable and expectations continue to shift, this episode invites you to slow down and ask a single guiding question: What am I choosing to carry forward?Through reflection, metaphor, and real-world examples from across higher education, Dr. Hill explores how discernment differs from clarity, why not all labor is meant to cross seasons, and how intentional choice becomes an act of leadership — not withdrawal.This episode is for faculty, administrators, staff, and academic leaders who feel the weight of what they've been holding and are ready to choose what truly belongs in the next season.

This is way more than just our first annual predictions episode. Victoria Bachan is the SVP, Creators at Wasserman. Wasserman operates at the epicenter of sports, music, entertainment and culture, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman's presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities, including New York, London, Nashville, Chicago, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney.Formerly the Global President of Sixteenth, Victoria oversaw a team of 43 managers and over 300 diverse Creators, while spearheading the company's global expansion efforts.  Victoria and her team collaborated with some of today's brightest Creators, including People's Choice Award winner Doug the Pug, visual artist and best-selling author Adam J. Kurtz, Crypto and Gen Z Finance expert Taylor Price, best-selling author and gamer Kelsey Dangerous and the Nami Matcha Founder and CEO, Ashley Alexander. Previously her team was instrumental in launching two groundbreaking TikTok Creator houses, “The Crib Around the Corner” for Black content creators, and “Familia Fuego” for Latinx talent. In 2023, she also helped Doug the Pug launch Nonipup, a human-grade all-natural pet care brand. Under her leadership, 61% of the Sixteenth roster proudly identified as BIPOC, reflecting her commitment to diversity and inclusion. When Victoria isn't paving the way for prominent creators, she mentors South Asian executives and talent as a member of The Salon and supports fundraising efforts for Play Inspired.

In this episode, Laura hosts an alumni panel of Black Woman Leading alums from the  Early Career and Mid-Career Programs (LaKeisha Williams, Jabina Coleman, and Valerie Black) for an honest, reflective, and deeply affirming conversation about what it means to strengthen your leader identity as a Black woman. Each guest shares her personal journey, from the early narratives that shaped her understanding of leadership to the mindset shifts, breakthroughs, and heart work that helped her step into a more aligned, confident, and purpose-driven version of herself. The alums discuss how their perceptions of themselves as leaders have grown since participating in the Black Woman Leading® program, and how their sense of agency, confidence, and clarity have expanded.  Additionally, they discuss navigating boundaries to stay aligned with their values and the role of community in supporting them along their leadership journeys.   The conversation is rich with wisdom, lived experience, vulnerability, and community. It highlights the transformative power of intentional leadership development and the importance of spaces where Black women can be seen, supported, and celebrated.   Guest Bios: ::LaKeisha Williams LaKeisha Williams is a dedicated wife and mother, an insurance professional with over 11 years of experience, and a lifelong learner who holds multiple designations in both commercial and personal lines insurance. She is also a jewelry entrepreneur of more than five years, passionate about connecting with new people and building meaningful relationships through sales. Outside of work, LaKeisha loves to laugh, spend time with her family, explore new places, and create joyful experiences through travel with her husband. Whether in the corporate world or her growing business, she leads with heart, expertise, and a genuine love for helping others shine. Connect with LaKeisha on LinkedIn here.   ::Jabina Coleman Jabina Coleman, known nationally as The Lactation Therapist, is a reproductive psychotherapist, maternal health researcher, and Philadelphia's first Black non-nurse International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Trained first as a behavioral scientist at Penn State and later clinically as a Social Worker at the University of Pennsylvania, she has become one of the most compelling voices advancing Black maternal health equity, perinatal mental health, and community-centered lactation care. Her current doctoral training in Health Science at Thomas Jefferson University further deepens this work to bring evidence, rigor, and lived expertise into the rooms where systems, policy, and practice are shaped. Jabina is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Breastfeeding Awareness & Empowerment (BAE) Culture, a community-rooted, Black women–led health equity ecosystem builder that weaves reproductive justice, trauma-informed care, and perinatal mental health to support Black families, strengthen racially concordant care, and eliminate disparities in breastfeeding and maternal healthcare. She is also the Co-Founder of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color within Postpartum Support International — a national collaborative that builds capacity, community, and equity in perinatal mental health care for BIPOC families. She currently serves as Chair of the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition, Adjunct Professor in Drexel's Human Lactation Program, and a health equity consultant with Temple University, where she was previously the Director of Health Equity, Training & Quality Improvement. As a mother of two, her personal lived experience has shaped and informed her professional lens, deepening her commitment to centering care that is grounded in humanity and dignity. Her signature call to action, "Everyone wants to hold the baby, who will hold the mother®?" has impacted national discourse, shifted culture, and catalyzed a new standard for accountability in Black maternal health. Connect with Jabina on LinkedIn here.  Follow her organization BAE on Instagram here.   ::Valerie Black Valerie Black-Turner serves as director of community partnerships for the Kansas Health Foundation and has been with KHF since 2002. Her responsibilities include building and maintaining trustworthy relationships with community organizations and agencies whose missions align with the Foundation's values and who serve communities impacted by racial and health inequities in Kansas.  Before becoming the director of community partnerships, Valerie held previous roles as KHF's community impact officer, senior community  organizer and information technology officer. Valerie received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Wichita State University with an emphasis in business management and received her Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary. She is a member of Dellrose United Methodist Church and serves as lead minister of worship and as Christian Education Coordinator.  Connect with Valerie on LinkedIn here   BWL Resources: Now enrolling for both the January  sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs.  Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/ Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube.  Subscribe to the BWL channel today! Check out the BWL theme song here Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/   Credits: Learn about all Black Woman Leading® programs, resources, and events at www.blackwomanleading.com Learn more about our consulting work with organizations at https://knightsconsultinggroup.com/ Email Laura: info@knightsconsultinggroup.com Connect with Laura on LinkedIn Follow BWL on LinkedIn Instagram: @blackwomanleading Facebook: @blackwomanleading Youtube: @blackwomanleading  Podcast Music & Production: Marshall Knights  Graphics: Dara Adams Listen and follow the podcast on all major platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher iHeartRadio Audible Podbay  

This episode with Dr. David McCarty-Caplan touches on so many profound and heartfelt areas, carried by the radical vulnerability, honesty, and compassion he brings to the conversation. David generously shares about his reunion with his Colombian birth family-- first on his own, and later with his children and partner. We explore how his kids embraced reunion and modeled openness, curiosity and love with his family, and how their presence and perspective helped guide and teach him throughout the process. David also reflects on his identity as a Jewish Colombian adoptee and his powerful work community building with and for Jewish adoptees of color.  Dr. David McCarty-Caplan BioDr. David McCarty-Caplan (PhD) is a researcher, educator, writer, and consultant whose work sits at the intersection of identity, belonging, and social justice. Born in Bogotá, Colombia and adopted into a white Jewish family in the United States, David's life has been shaped by questions of race, family, and home. These experiences continue to inform his passion for helping adoptees and their families navigate the complex layers of identity, racism, and connection that often accompany adoption. Drawing on his background as a social work researcher and educator, David brings both personal insight and professional rigor to his work with organizations, communities, and families. He is especially interested in how people and institutions can create spaces where all feel seen and valued. David lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two children, ages 12 and 10. As a husband, father, and adoptee, he is continually exploring what it means to nurture belonging — in his family, in his work, and in the broader world.https://www.shadesofbelonging.com/Co-Hosts: Nari Baker & Robyn ParkMusic: Mike Marlatt & Paul GulledgeAudio Production: Frederico Soler FernándezArtwork: Dalhe KimListen on: iTunes & SpotifyInstagram: @laboroflovepodcastSupport via Venmo: @laboroflovepodcast

This week, how the newly established Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force is making decisions about state-wide foraging rules, plus a conversation with Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe representatives about the newly named Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.----- Producers: Xan Holston & Travis Zimmerman Editing: Britt AamodtEditorial support: Emily Krumberger Anchor: Marie Rock Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

When you think of Toronto, what comes to mind? For many, it's the city's skyline, but for those of us planning events—it's the table. And few people know that table better than Trevor Lui. At IMEX, I'll be sitting down with Trevor—award-winning restaurateur, chef, author of Double Happiness Cookbook, co-founder of Quell Now Inc. (an agency advancing BIPOC food & drink talent), and the current Board Chair of Destination Toronto for a special Tuesday episode of Eating at a Meeting Podcast LIVE. With more than 20 years producing thousands of event experiences, he's shaping how destinations—and their food cultures—can be leveraged to create truly inclusive events. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, but as Trevor says, diversity doesn't automatically mean inclusion. We'll explore how tapping into local communities, choosing partners who embody DEI, and rethinking destination selection can transform your event from "checking the box" to creating meaningful, authentic guest experiences. Join us as we discuss:

What if the problem is not your motivation to recover, but a system that makes eating disorder treatment almost impossible to afford? In this conversation, I sit down again with Leslie Jordan Garcia @liberatiwellness. Leslie is a wellness strategist, certified eating disorder recovery coach, and Treatment Access Program Manager at Project HEAL. In this episode, we discuss real, concrete pathways to free and low-cost eating disorder care. We also talk about why you cannot separate eating disorder recovery from social justice, intersectionality, and body hierarchies. Leslie breaks down how Project HEAL removes financial and systemic barriers, how people from marginalized communities can apply, and how providers can join the Healer's Circle to offer justice-focused, values-aligned care. In this episode, we talk about What Project HEAL is and how it works to remove financial and systemic barriers to eating disorder care in the United States The four major Project HEAL programs and how to apply for: Community Care groups for BIPOC folks Cash assistance that covers tertiary costs like rent, pet boarding, and transportation Outpatient treatment placement with sliding scale and pro bono providers Insurance navigation support and help with single case agreements Who qualifies for Project HEAL services, including people in all U.S. states and territories, and how they prioritize folks from communities that are historically and systemically marginalized How Leslie matches people with “unicorn providers” who are fat positive, HAES aligned, queer affirming, trauma aware, and non Christian based when needed The difference it makes when someone helps you navigate insurance, access care, and complete applications, especially when executive functioning is low or things feel overwhelming How economic precarity, layoffs, food insecurity, and shifting insurance policies are driving an uptick in applications for eating disorder treatment assistance Why intersectional, identity affirming care is not optional in eating disorder recovery, especially for BIPOC, queer, trans, disabled, and fat clients How Leslie's social justice consulting work with universities, community colleges, and health organizations helps them: Reimagine intake forms and client facing processes Address promotion and salary inequities Create transformational circles where teams talk about harm, stereotypes, and systemic barriers How body hierarchies, food moralization, school fitness testing, and lunch shaming fuel eating disorders for kids and adults Why many people use eating disorders as a survival tool in the context of trauma, capitalism, surveillance, and unsafe systems What true equity and belonging could mean for decreasing the occurrence and severity of eating disorders About our guest: Leslie Jordan Garcia Leslie Jordan Garcia is a wellness strategist, certified eating disorder recovery coach, and social justice consultant dedicated to healing and liberation. She holds dual master's degrees in business and public health and has more than a decade of experience across military, public health, and nonprofit sectors. Through her practice, Liberati Wellness, Leslie offers HAES aligned eating disorder recovery support, inclusive movement support, and equity and identity affirming care. Leslie also partners with organizations like Austin Health Commons and the Hogg Foundation to embed equity and justice into health systems and helping professions. She currently serves as the Treatment Access Program Manager at Project HEAL, where she manages cash assistance and treatment placement and works to match clients with values aligned, culturally responsive providers. You can find Leslie's coaching and consulting work at Liberati Wellness and on Instagram at @liberatiwellness. Inside Project HEAL's pathways to care In this episode, Leslie explains how Project HEAL supports people who are struggling with eating disorders and facing financial and systemic barriers to treatment. She walks us through the main programs: Informed ED (for professionals) A learning program for clinicians and dietitians who are newer to eating disorder treatment. It helps them build skills, reduce harm, and align their work with justice focused values so they can better support clients whose eating disorders are uncovered in general mental health or medical settings. Community Care A free, BIPOC only, 8 week support and process group focused on body liberation, community care, and healing from white supremacist body hierarchies. Cash Assistance Program A program that does not pay individuals directly, but instead covers tertiary costs that often block access to care. This can include rent, transportation, pet boarding, or other essential expenses so that people can actually attend the level of care their team recommends. Treatment Placement Leslie coordinates outpatient treatment placement, connecting people with dietitians, therapists, and other providers who offer sliding scale or pro bono care, especially when insurance does not cover enough dietitian sessions or mental health support. Insurance Navigation Project HEAL helps people understand their insurance benefits, locate in network providers, and pursue options like single case agreements when an appropriate provider is out of network. Leslie also mentions a time limited clinical assessment program for people who know they are struggling in their relationship with food and body but have never had a formal diagnosis. All of these services are free to applicants, and one application can cover multiple programs at once. Who can apply to Project HEAL Leslie shares that Project HEAL is U.S. based, and that includes all 50 states, Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories such as Guam. Anyone in those locations can apply. Project HEAL prioritizes people from communities that have been historically and systemically marginalized, including: BIPOC communities Queer and trans communities People in larger bodies Disabled and chronically ill folks People navigating religious trauma and other layered identities Leslie's role includes reading applications through an intersectional lens, tracking diversity demographics, and making sure that people who face the largest gaps in access are not overlooked. She also notes that if the application itself feels overwhelming, Project HEAL can connect applicants with someone who will help them complete it, which is especially important when executive functioning is low. Intersectionality, social justice, and eating disorder recovery Throughout the conversation, Leslie and I look at how eating disorders are never just about appearance. They are deeply tied to: Trauma and chronic stress How we perceive our bodies and how we believe others perceive our bodies Economic instability, job insecurity, and food insecurity Surveillance of bodies in workplaces, schools, and medical settings Racism, anti-fat bias, ableism, transmisia, and other forms of oppression Leslie talks about clients who restrict food so their children can eat when jobs cut hours, and how people in larger bodies often avoid eating at work because of constant surveillance and judgment, only to experience intense hunger and binge episodes later. We explore how body hierarchies, moralization of food, school fitness testing, and lunch policing create conditions where an eating disorder can become a primary coping strategy. Leslie describes how, over time, this can become deeply embedded, with the brain chemistry colluding with the eating disorder to create a sense of safety that the larger system fails to provide. For Leslie, social justice work is inseparable from eating disorder work. If people had secure access to food, safe housing, living wages, and genuine body equity, many would not need to rely on eating disorders to feel safer, visible, or invisible. Justice work inside systems Leslie also describes her justice work with institutions, including: Facilitating Transformational Circles where diverse team members connect as humans and then talk honestly about processes that exclude or harm people Supporting clinics that operate in queer neighborhoods yet do not see queer clients, and helping them examine what in their client facing processes is pushing people away Working with community colleges on salary and promotion inequities, examining reviews, ranking systems, and feedback processes that keep certain groups from advancing Helping organizations rework intake forms, policies, and internal culture so that equity, belonging, and justicebecome real practices rather than buzzwords She reminds us that what often gets labeled as “DEI” is actually about justice, accessibility, and belonging for everyone, including veterans, people who breastfeed, people who need ramps and accessible bathrooms, and more. How to connect with Project HEAL and Leslie To apply for Project HEAL's Treatment Access programs Visit the Project HEAL website at projectheal.org and look for the section on Treatment Access. One application lets you indicate which services you want, including cash assistance, treatment placement, insurance navigation, and clinical assessment while that program is still active. Both individuals seeking care and providers who want to join the Healer's Circle start on the same site. Providers can share their identities, specialties, body size, languages spoken, and communities they love to serve, which helps Leslie make strong intersectional matches. To work with Leslie as a coach or consultant You can learn more about Leslie's equity and identity affirming eating disorder recovery coaching and social justice consulting at: Website: Liberati Wellness liberatiwellness.com Instagram: @liberatiwellness She currently has a reduced capacity for one to one clients but continues to support individuals and teams through coaching, collaboration with therapists and dietitians, and organizational justice work. If this episode resonated with you If you are struggling with an eating disorder and feel blocked by money, insurance, or access, I hope this episode helps you feel less alone and more resourced. There are people and organizations actively working to break financial barriers to care. If you know someone who could benefit from free or low-cost eating disorder support, especially someone from a marginalized community, please consider sharing this episode with them. You can also support this work by: Following @liberatiwellness and @projectheal Sharing Project HEAL's application info with your community If you are a provider, applying to join the Healer's Circle and offering sliding scale or pro bono care And as always, thank you for listening and for being part of this conversation about justice, embodiment, and eating disorder recovery.

The average reader need not go far in a bookstore before, knowingly or not, they encounter authors who started their careers by self-publishing prior to achieving commercial success. Examples include Margaret Atwood, Andy Weir, Colleen Hoover, Anna Todd, E. L. James, Scarlett St. Clair, and many more. Such stories of self-made writers are compelling and seem more attainable to others with the accessibility of modern publishing platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Kobo, Wattpad, Webtoon, Radish, Inkitt, Qidian, Tapas, and Swoon Reads. However, in Inequalities of Platform Publishing: The Promise and Peril of Self-Publishing in the Digital Book Era (U Massachusetts Press, 2025) Claire Parnell uncovers in her examination of the two most popular—Amazon and Wattpad—these services in fact perpetuate systemic racial, gender, and sexual bias against authors of color and queer authors through their technological, economic, social, and cultural structures. At a time when there is a real reckoning with the discrimination that has resulted in publishing opportunities for only relatively few privileged authors—who are often White, upper class, and male—self-publishing presents itself as an equalizer of sorts. Exploring that idea, Parnell shows that these platforms are not just intermediaries for information; they structure content and users in multiple, often inequitable, ways through their ability to set market conditions and apply algorithmic sorting. Combining original interviews, walkthrough method, metadata analysis, and more, Parnell finds that self-publishing platforms reproduce challenges for authors from marginalized communities. Far from equalizing the market, the new platforms instead frequently perpetuate the stubborn barriers to mainstream success for BIPOC and queer authors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The average reader need not go far in a bookstore before, knowingly or not, they encounter authors who started their careers by self-publishing prior to achieving commercial success. Examples include Margaret Atwood, Andy Weir, Colleen Hoover, Anna Todd, E. L. James, Scarlett St. Clair, and many more. Such stories of self-made writers are compelling and seem more attainable to others with the accessibility of modern publishing platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Kobo, Wattpad, Webtoon, Radish, Inkitt, Qidian, Tapas, and Swoon Reads. However, in Inequalities of Platform Publishing: The Promise and Peril of Self-Publishing in the Digital Book Era (U Massachusetts Press, 2025) Claire Parnell uncovers in her examination of the two most popular—Amazon and Wattpad—these services in fact perpetuate systemic racial, gender, and sexual bias against authors of color and queer authors through their technological, economic, social, and cultural structures. At a time when there is a real reckoning with the discrimination that has resulted in publishing opportunities for only relatively few privileged authors—who are often White, upper class, and male—self-publishing presents itself as an equalizer of sorts. Exploring that idea, Parnell shows that these platforms are not just intermediaries for information; they structure content and users in multiple, often inequitable, ways through their ability to set market conditions and apply algorithmic sorting. Combining original interviews, walkthrough method, metadata analysis, and more, Parnell finds that self-publishing platforms reproduce challenges for authors from marginalized communities. Far from equalizing the market, the new platforms instead frequently perpetuate the stubborn barriers to mainstream success for BIPOC and queer authors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Have you ever wondered why trauma seems to "live" in the body? Or why so many women struggle with sexual dysfunction after difficult childbirth experiences that they're told they should just be "grateful" for?Join me as we explore the profound connection between trauma and sexual health with Erika Kelley, an award-winning clinical psychologist who specializes in women's sexual medicine and trauma treatment.Erika Kelley is revolutionizing how we understand and treat the intersection of PTSD and sexual dysfunction. Winner of the prestigious Irwin Goldstein Award at ISSWSH for her groundbreaking research on childbirth-related PTSD, Erika shares insights from her years of experience helping women reclaim their bodies and sexuality after trauma.Together, we discuss the often overlooked reality of "smiling PTSD" the postpartum trauma that women hide behind societal pressure to appear only joyful after childbirth. Erika explains how trauma becomes physically embedded in the body through the fight-flight-freeze response, creating real physiological changes that impact everything from pelvic floor function to sexual desire.She also shares the evidence based psychotherapies that are proven to help, including Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy, and how these treatments can be integrated with pelvic floor physical therapy and sexual medicine approaches for comprehensive care.Erika's commitment to building trust with marginalized communities through community-based participatory research demonstrates how we can address healthcare disparities while advancing trauma care. Her work with Black women and perinatal mental health is paving the way for more inclusive and effective treatment.This episode is essential listening for anyone who has experienced trauma, healthcare providers who work with trauma survivors, and anyone interested in understanding how our bodies truly do "keep the score." By listening, you'll gain crucial knowledge about recognizing trauma symptoms, accessing appropriate treatment, and advocating for yourself or your patients.TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault, traumatic childbirth experiences, medical trauma, PTSD symptoms, and obstetric complications. Please listen with care and reach out for support if needed.HighlightsHow PTSD manifests physically in the body and affects sexual health.Dr. Kelley's award-winning research on childbirth trauma and sexual dysfunction.Why "smiling PTSD" prevents women from getting help after traumatic births.Evidence-based treatments that work: Prolonged Exposure Therapy, CPT, and EMDR.How to prepare for subsequent pregnancies after traumatic childbirth.Trauma-informed care and why communication during emergencies is critical.Healthcare disparities affecting BIPOC women and community-based solutionsIf this episode resonated with you, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify it helps other women find this life changing information. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that their trauma is real and treatment is available.Get in touch with Erika:WebsiteInstagramGet in Touch with Me: WebsiteInstagramYoutubeSubstack

host: Alyson Stanfield In 2020, Dawn Trimble was laid off from her interior design job during the pandemic while navigating a divorce—and she felt relief. That moment became a turning point. Within months of painting full-time, she launched her first collection, which sold out in days and matched her corporate paycheck. Dawn talks about the practical steps she took to build momentum, what she brought from her design background into her art business, how she thinks about creativity as service rather than self-expression, and why she believes the most important thing any artist can do is simply start. HIGHLIGHTS 01:40 Dawn describes her serene watercolor paintings 03:00 The relief of being laid off during the pandemic 05:40 Creating her first collection and selling out in days 08:00 The three-legged stool business approach 26:00 Wall covering licensing partnerships that surprised her with the size of the first checks 29:00 How she structures her week 32:00 Marketing through storytelling and connection 39:00 The "Memories" collection and her father's dementia 44:00 Her faith, viewing herself as conduit, not source 47:20 Her advice to other artists: just do it DAWN'S ACTION FOR YOU Dawn reminds us that everyone has insecurities and everyone is afraid. But you have to start anyway. As she mentioned, inspiration has to find us working. You can't sit around wishing—it has to be an action. So this week, get into your studio and make something. Let inspiration find you working. To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/trimble-revenue Connect with Dawn and see more of her art: https://dawnmtrimbleart.com

This week, Bemidji's Tom BK Goldtooth's reflection after attending this year's Climate Change Conference (COP30), and how federal cuts to public broadcasting are affecting tribal radio stations.-----Producers: Dan Ninham, CJ YoungerEditing: CJ Younger, Emily Krumberger, Victor PalominoAnchor: Marie Rock Mixing & mastering: Chris HarwoodPhoto Credit: Indigenous Environmental Network-----For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. instagram.com/ampersradio/instagram.com/mnnativenews/ Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and content releases from AMPERS. ampers.org/about-ampers/staytuned/ This show is made possible by community support. Due to cuts in federal funding, the community radio you love is at risk. Your support is needed now more than ever. Donate now to power the community programs you love: ampers.org/fund

Today on Whats My Frame I'm joined by award-winning filmmaker, Winter Dunn. Winter is dedicated to amplifying universal narratives through the lens of BIPOC voices. Her short film, Dear Mama, premiered at SXSW and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Film (Live Action). Dear Mama is currently streaming on The New Yorker's Screening Room and Short of the Week. Her most recent film, PLAY HARD, had its World Premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, and streams on Hulu.Winter has been a directing fellow in several prestigious programs, including NBCU Launch, Film Independent's Project Involve, Ryan Murphy's HALF Initiative, and the Sony Pictures Diverse Directors Program. Beyond film and television, Winter has directed a wide range of digital content, including web series and editorial videos. Her digital direction for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Architectural Digest, Anonymous Content, Meta, and other platforms has featured stars like Viola Davis, Sarah Paulson & Billie Eilish.winterdunn.com@itswinterdunn

Whether you think a daily running habit is enviable—or certifiable!—you'll love listening to conversations with four women who have run streaks. Join hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton to learn:  -how each gal's streak got started; -what a “streak saver” is;  -how a streak reinforces the runner-identity of one BIPOC guest; -how a running streak serves as a safety net for consistency; and,  -how (+ if!) the guests envision an end to their streaks.    The hosts time-travel to 1970s NYC in the intro; the first run-streaker joins at 10:01. (Link to guest-recommended book.) This episode originally aired on September 2, 2022.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support!   Use code AMR for up to 35% off first subscription order at livemomentous.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Overview In this episode of Please Me! Podcast, Dr. Eve continues her Kink Education Series, inspired by DomCon New Orleans. Dive into BIPOC kink history, subspace and domspace neurochemistry, neurodiverse pleasure, somatic practices, pet play, foot play, anal play, and trauma-informed, consent-based kink education. Learn practical tools, cultural insights, and safety guidance for exploring kink in a mindful, therapeutic way. Topics Covered

Why you should listenDiscover the simple formula for calculating ROI on AI tools before you implement them, so you stop wasting money on platforms you'll never use.Leandra reveals how she helps burnt-out business owners fall back in love with their companies while scaling revenue—without adding more to their plate.Learn why the most effective automations aren't the flashy AI agents everyone's talking about, but strategic tweaks to tools you already own.You're stuck at a revenue ceiling and drowning in delivery work. Every "AI solution" promises to save you time, but you're paralyzed by options and skeptical of the hype. Meanwhile, you're working harder than ever with nothing to show for it.In this episode, I sit down with Leandra Nisbet from Stingray Advisory Group to cut through the AI noise. Leandra shares her battle-tested approach to helping consultants scale without burning out using practical automation that actually moves the needle. We dig into why chasing every new AI tool is killing your productivity, how to know if an implementation will pay off before you start, and why human expertise still wins over bots.About Leandra NisbetLeandra Nisbet is the Founder & Owner of Stingray Advisory Group, a woman- and minority-owned advisory firm based in Michigan. With a background in finance, marketing, computer technology and team operations, Leandra helps small business owners and entrepreneurs scale with confidence by combining streamlined systems, strategic decision-making and a deep understanding of what drives sustainable growth.Stingray Advisory Group specializes in marketing strategy, financial management and business planning by meeting clients where they are, whether clarifying goals, navigating cash flow challenges or preparing for expansion. The firm is focused on community impact, with a mission to support under-resourced entrepreneurs and empower women and BIPOC business owners to build sustainable, purpose-driven companies.Resources and LinksStingrayadvisorygroup.comLeandra's LinkedIn profileLeandra on Instagram: @LeandraCreatesPrevious episode: 650 - How to Turn a Quiet List into a Revenue MachineCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

#250: Farmer, activist, and Real Organic ally Karen Washington joins Dave Chapman to talk about her decades-long fight for food justice and her friendship with food systems pioneer Joan Gussow Karen traces her journey from growing up in the Bronx projects to co-founding Rise & Root Farm, a women-led, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC cooperative in New York's Hudson Valley. Together, they discuss how small farms, community gardens, and food justice movements are redefining what it means to grow and share food in America. Karen's message is clear: food, water, and shelter are human rights - and the path forward is together.https://realorganicproject.org/karen-washington-food-justice-community-250The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/directoryWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

host: Alyson Stanfield Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz are part of a four-artist collaborative group in Denver that's been working together for years because it's made them better artists. In this conversation, they share the practical realities of collaboration: the systems that keep things organized, the communication that prevents problems, and the trust that makes it all possible. If you've ever wondered whether working with other artists is worth the effort, this episode will show you what's possible when you get it right.

Guests: Chelsie Esek-Onyeahialam, MS, CCC-SLP, and Jordyn R. Montique, MS, CCC-SLPEarn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/cours...If you're an advocate for creating inclusive spaces, an ally for growing diversity within our profession, and want to engage in professional networking through evidence-based empowerment, then y'all, this is the hour for you!Chelsie and Jordyn educate colleagues on “White Supremacy Culture” and how it manifests in the field of speech therapy, discuss common barriers BIPOC individuals encounter when entering the profession, and inspire us all with strategies our field can take to overcome them.Show Notes:#BlackSLPMagic: https://www.blackslpmagic.org#BlackSLPMagic Linktree: https://linktr.ee/blackslpmagicJRC the SLP: https://beacons.ai/jrc_theslpEsek Health: https://linktr.ee/EsekHealthCulturally Responsive Clinician Handbook: https://www.raynetherapy.com/thecultu...About the Guests: Chelsie Esek-Onyeahialam, MS, CCC-SLP is a highly respected, board-certified Speech-Language Pathologist whose career reflects both academic excellence and an unwavering dedication to healthcare equity. A proud Magna Cum Laude graduate of Howard University with a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Chelsie has devoted her expertise primarily to acute care, where she champions improved access, outcomes, and advocacy for underserved communities.Jordyn R. Montique, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and the owner of RAYNE Therapy, a private practice providing therapy for clients, school contracting, and professional development hours (PDHs). She is the author of The Culturally Responsive Clinician Handbook and the creator of JRCtheSLP, LLC, where she speaks, consults, and develops diverse therapy materials.

Is it picky eating or something deeper? In this episode, RD Kristen Nyampong breaks down Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) — what it looks like, how it's often missed, and why it can show up differently in BIPOC communities. We talk about helping clients expand food variety without pressure or shame, navigating family dynamics, and how dietitians can work through a trauma-informed and weight-inclusive lens.If you're living with diabetes or prediabetes and want personalized support from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist covered by insurance, visit diabetesdigital.co to connect with our culturally aware and weight-inclusive team. And if you love the show, don't forget to rate and review us on iTunes or Spotify—it makes a huge difference! For additional resources and show notes, head to diabetesdigital.co/podcast.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about verbal abuse, family dysfunction, and childhood trauma. Please listen with care. Healing relationships damaged by alcohol—where do you even begin? In this candid, hope-filled episode, Coach Soraya and Coach Zoe sit down with Sherri and Kevin to give listeners a front-row peek at how The Path works—and the breakthroughs that happen inside each day. Sherri shares her journey of leaving a verbally abusive marriage, breaking the after-work wine habit, and facing the truth about a new partner who encourages drinking. Kevin opens up about separation, sober dating, and the power of “playing it forward” when cravings strike, while also learning to reconnect with his inner child and rebuild self-trust. With gentle guidance and science-backed tools, both guests experience moments of clarity and hope, showing how compassion and curiosity make healing relationships damaged by alcohol possible. In Sherri's Session: How verbal abuse led to a reliance on alcohol to cope Realizing that "feeling good" while drinking is not the same as true happiness Finding the courage to say "no" to drinking and a toxic relationship Understanding that a negative feeling makes you want to drink Taking the first step in healing relationships damaged by alcohol And more topics… In Kevin's Session: Finding renewed confidence to quit after a purposeful "data point" Using your past experiences as a "reference library" to move forward Confronting childhood trauma and its connection to self-soothing with alcohol Earning your own trust back and holding space for little you Discussing the process of healing relationships damaged by alcohol And more… Soraya Odishoo is a compassionate Certified This Naked Mind Coach and certified Kula Yoga instructor, combining somatic healing and therapeutic models to support her clients' journeys to recovery. With a deep commitment to working with individuals who feel disconnected from their true selves, Soraya specializes in helping people break free from addictions to substances or behaviors that no longer serve them. Her heart-centered, trauma-informed approach is rooted in collaboration and trust, with a focus on accessibility for BIPOC and LGBTQIA++ communities. Soraya's passion lies in guiding others back to their personal power, allowing them to find peace, purpose, and lasting healing. Learn more about Coach Soraya: https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/soraya-arjan-odishoo-alpc/ Zoe Ewart is a Certified Naked Mind Senior Coach who brings her experience and understanding to help with the tricky parts of life's big changes. Her coaching gives you an enjoyable, light-hearted, and safe environment to effortlessly take back control of alcohol so you can feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. Zoe taught Pilates for 15 years. She has four adult children and more animals than the Ark ever had. Learn more about Coach Zoe: ⁠https://thisnakedmind.com/coach/zoe-ewart/⁠ Episode links: nakedmindpath.com Ready to take the next step on your journey?  Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious! Quince: For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to Quince.com/naked for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at Hungryroot.com/nakedmind with code nakedmind Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Shopify.com/mind Cozy Earth: Black Friday came early at Cozy Earth! Stack my code NAKEDMIND with their sitewide sale for up to 40% off.