Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Race, Gender, and Social Justice
74 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsNavigating our way through this complex, challenging time requires taking a clear look at the issues we're confronting. Join Omkari Williams and her guests as they take on some of the most pressing issues of our time.
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Episodes
Talking with Iranian Born Activist Ari Honarvar
December 22, 2020 17:26 - 36 minutes - 66.5 MBShe grew up in repressive and war torn Iran, then writer and activist Ari Honarvar came to the United States. In this timely conversation Ari and I talk about intersectionality and bringing joy to those stranded at the US border. Ari and I also talk about what it's like to be from a war torn country and some of the disturbing parallels to where we are in the United States right now. What I loved about this conversation is that Ari not only shows us that finding joy is possible in the worst ...
Talking with Author & Activist Joel Edward Goza
December 08, 2020 15:47 - 40 minutes - 74.3 MBI have never said, “You have to listen to this episode!”. I am telling you, you have to listen to this episode. In this remarkable conversation Joel Goza, author of America's Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics, and I talk about the deep roots of the structural and systemic racism that plagues the United States. Drawing lines between people and events that predate the founding of the U.S. and taking a deep look at the complexity of Dr. King, Joel brings clarity to the ...
Ruby Smith Diaz on Anti-Oppression, Body Positivity & More
November 24, 2020 15:30 - 46 minutes - 84.2 MBAs we work towards the goals of freedom and social justice one of the things that is most important is that we listen to and center the voices of young people. They are the ones who will have to live with the consequences of our actions, and our inactions. Ruby Smith-Diaz and I discuss how she uses art to engage, empower, and inspire young people to use their voices and their creativity in service of their needs, dreams, and rights. Beyond that Ruby and I discuss body image from the perspe...
Talking with Author and Activist Anjali Enjeti
November 10, 2020 17:07 - 50 minutes - 91.6 MBAnjali Enjeti and I had this great conversation all the way back in June. We talked about the election, about Black Lives Matter, about the role of race in American Literature and more. Given that the election is over it might seem odd to even think about it now but this conversation will expand how you see the way that voting plays into sustaining systemic racism which matters so much because there are more elections to come and the efforts to make voting harder are constantly being ramped...
Talking with The Politics of Trauma author Staci K. Haines
October 27, 2020 15:33 - 43 minutes - 80.5 MBIt's 2020 and that means that there is almost no way to be living in the United States and not have experienced some sort of trauma. Lives and jobs upended and lost, our politics are out of control, systemic racism front and center, it's been a brutal year. Somatic practician and activist Staci K. Haines takes on this critical subject in her remarkable book, The Politics of Trauma. In our conversation Staci and I talk about the implications of power both for those without it and with it, t...
Talking Combatting Anti Asian Racism and More w/ Activist & Organizer Grace Pai
October 13, 2020 14:04 - 44 minutes - 81.2 MBIn this episode organizer and activist Grace Pai and I discuss the divisions between Blacks and Asian Americans, how Coronavirus is impacting the Asian American community, and the potential that lives in cross racial collaborations. Grace is the Director of Organizing at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago. Her years of community organizing have given Grace a perspective that is especially important in this fraught time. This conversation opened my eyes to elements of the struggle f...
Talking Tomboys, Racism, and Busting Gender Norms with Lisa Selin Davis
September 29, 2020 14:57 - 45 minutes - 83.8 MBOne of the joys of childhood for a lot of girls, me included, was being a tomboy when I was a child. I ran around with a pack of boys and girls and we played with abandon. Does this sound familiar? Was that you or a friend of yours? In this episode I speak with author Lisa Selin Davis. Selin Davis has written a book that not only looks at the general idea of being a tomboy but also at the deep racism that lies at the heart of the 19th century practice of encouraging girls to be tomboys. To...
Talking Elevating the Voices of Girls and Young Women w/ Writer & Actress Kim Sykes
September 15, 2020 14:47 - 40 minutes - 73.2 MBIn this episode I speak with actress and writer Kim Sykes who is the artistic director for Girl Be Heard an organization dedicated to elevating the voices of girls, young women, transfeminine, and gender nonconforming, and gender fluid individuals . These are the future and Girl Be Heard is dedicated to building the activists and changemakers who will be running the world in years to come. Kim and I talk about the impact it has on them to write and perform their stories, to use the arts ...
Talking Fighting & Winning a "Qualified Immunity" Defense w/ Attorney Christopher Brown
September 01, 2020 14:28 - 44 minutes - 81.5 MBBefore Ahmaud Arbery, Elijah McLain, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Michael Brown there was Wayne Jones. Mr. Jones was a schizophrenic, unhoused Black man living in West Virginia when a random encounter with the police resulted in Mr. Jones being shot 22 times. In this conversation I speak with Christopher Brown, the attorney who took the Jones family's case, where the police had successfully argued qualified immunity, all the way to the Fourth Circuit court of Appeals. There he did some...
Talking Shifting Rape Culture & Bringing Agency to Survivors with Nikki Patin
August 18, 2020 14:14 - 47 minutes - 87.2 MBIn a conversation that predates the pandemic Nikki Patin and I talked about what it takes to change both public perception and policy as it comes to rape culture. Using her experience as a rape crisis counselor and in her current position as Community Engagement Director at Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) she helps bring healing to individuals and changes to laws that impact survivors of sexual assault. With writing workshops and Share the Mic nights that give survivor...
Talking Using Art to Build Bridges Across Racial Lines with Monique Davis
August 04, 2020 13:26 - 40 minutes - 73.9 MBIn this conversation Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at the Center for Art and Public Exchange at the Mississippi Museum of Art Monique Davis and I discuss how art can be used to build bridges in our communities as well as be used as a tool to dismantle White Supremacy. When Whiteness is the yardstick by which all is measured it takes a reckoning to establish a new way of measuring what is good, fair, considered to be success, and beauty. Monique and I talk about looking at art throu...
Talking about Dismantling White Supremacy and Cross Stitching (yeah they're connected) w/ Shannon Downey
July 21, 2020 11:43 - 45 minutes - 83.2 MBIn this fun conversation Badass Cross Stitch founder, Shannon Downey, and I talk about how to bring a lovely, subversive twist to the art of cross stitching. Really, it (and lots of other creative pursuits) can be a venue for taking down white supremacy. Shannon tells me how she came up with this idea, about the impact it's had, and the how she's now taking this on the road. Yep, even during a pandemic this project can travel. Shannon's favorite quote is from Mariame Kaba, "Weird times ca...
Talking Public Health and Systemic Racism with Public Health Professional & Educator Nicole Vick
July 07, 2020 13:24 - 35 minutes - 64.8 MBWelcome to Season 3! I'm so excited for the season to come. I've got some brilliant guests coming up this season and to start I've got someone whose work is in public health. We may as well start in the realm of one of the two crises facing the world right now. In this episode public health professional Nicole Vick and I talk about how our public health system is failing us and what needs to happen to make it work for all Americans. We also discuss Black maternal and infant mortality and t...
Conversations During a Pandemic: Talking with Futurist Chet W. Sisk about, well, the future
May 12, 2020 15:32 - 45 minutes - 82.5 MBIn this episode futurist Chet Sisk and I discuss what this pandemic is revealing about our societies. We talk about black swans, the African philosophy of Ubuntu, and some of the changes this event will likely bring about. This was a fascinating conversation and a perfect end to Season 2 of the podcast. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Conversations During a Pandemic: Talking with Craftivism author Betsy Greer
April 23, 2020 14:47 - 40 minutes - 74 MBIn this Conversation During a Pandemic author Betsy Greer and I discuss the ways in which our crafts can be tools of activism. How craft can be a source connection and solace, especially in a difficult time, and why all activism doesn't, and shouldn't, look the same. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Conversations During a Pandemic: Talking with Political Operative Arnetia Fogg Dupree
March 31, 2020 17:40 - 39 minutes - 71.6 MBIn this conversation political operative Arnetia Fogg Dupree and I talk about the urgency of electing Black women to political office and how we can stay connected during a pandemic. In this stressful time this conversation filled me with hope and belief in a brighter future on the other side of this. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Talking with Run For Something Co-Founder Amanda Litman
March 16, 2020 11:27 - 33 minutes - 62.2 MBIn this conversation Run For Something co-founder Amanda Litman (if she looks familiar you may have seen her on tv) and I talk about the importance of those local races that most of us often don't think about. Amanda also shares her point of view on the whole “lesser of two evils” argument. We also talk about why you might be someone who should consider running for something and how her amazing organization helps young, progressive candidates. Even if that doesn't describe you, I'm definite...
Talking with Disability Activist and Musician Gaelynn Lea
March 03, 2020 22:22 - 43 minutes - 80.3 MBIn this conversation NPR Tiny Desk Concert winner Gaelynn Lea and I talk about her disability activism, politics, music, and more. This conversation made me think about things like our culture's ideas about beauty, for one, in entirely new ways. Music, activism, politics, Gaelynn weaves all these together for a discussion that will likely expand your thinking on a whole lot of things. I loved talking with Gaelynn, I think you're going to love hearing what she has to say. For a written tran...
Talking About Fighting for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women with Rosalie Fish
February 18, 2020 22:16 - 40 minutes - 74.5 MBIn this remarkable conversation 19 year old activist Rosalie Fish and I discuss the current epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women. A member of the Cowlitz tribe, Rosalie comes to this subject with deep personal knowledge and an unshakeable commitment to giving a voice to these women. This was a hard conversation for many reasons, not the least of which is that no one should have to be fighting this battle, certainly not at 19. But these women need a voice and Rosalie gives thes...
Talking Everything You Probably Didn't Know (and need to) About ID with Kat Calvin
February 04, 2020 22:12 - 56 minutes - 103 MBIn this episode I talk with Kat Calvin, founder of Project ID and Spread the Vote about why her organization focuses on getting ID for the millions of Americans who don't have any. This goes so far beyond what I was expecting when I got into this conversation. I had no idea about some of the things people can't access without identification. Things that make just doing daily life really hard. Have a listen! It's equal parts fascinating and horrifying. For a written transcript of this epis...
Talking About "She Speaks" an Homage to Black Women with Filmmaker Don Estill
January 21, 2020 22:06 - 49 minutes - 91.1 MBIn this beautiful and moving conversation filmmaker Don Estill talks about why he was compelled to make this documentary. He speaks of the women who inspired him directly and talks about the multitude of ways that Black women are amazing. The voices of Black Women are often misunderstood and overlooked. She Speaks shines a light on the depth and richness of these voices and showcases how and why Black Women are the future. This is an interview that moved me deeply. I hope you feel the sam...
Talking Bringing Abortion Stories Out of the Shadows and More with Renee Bracey Sherman
January 07, 2020 21:42 - 54 minutes - 99.2 MBIn this episode abortion rights activist Renee Bracey Sherman and I talk about why it’s so important that abortions stories are heard. We also talk about the deep bias that’s at the heart of the debate and the disproportionate impact on people of color. Renee made me think about aspects of this issue that I hadn’t considered before. Join us and expand your perspective on reproductive rights. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Talking the Arts as Activism, Mary McLeod Bethune, and More with Richarda Abrams
December 19, 2019 21:24 - 38 minutes - 70.5 MBIn this episode actor Richarda Abrams and I discuss her award winning one woman show, First By Faith: The Life of Mary McLeod Bethune. We also talk about the ways in which each of us can contribute to the greater good in our own way and why the Arts are so important in a healthy society. Richarda's one-woman show about black educator and activist Bethune has lessons for us in this moment when it can feel hard to see a way though. As we enter a new decade this episode will inspire you to thin...
Talking How to Start a Revolution and More with Lauren Duca
December 03, 2019 21:20 - 59 minutes - 109 MBIn this episode Lauren Duca, author of How to Start a Revolution: Young People and the Future of American Politics, and I talk about what changed after the 2016 election. We talk about how many young people experienced a political awakening and the shift that has engendered. You’ve probably heard the term military industrial complex. But have you heard about the political-industrial complex? We all hear that young people are the future, well of course they are. Lauren and I talk about the f...
Talking How to Start a Revolution and more with Lauren Duca
December 03, 2019 14:50 - 59 minutes - 109 MBIn this conversation author Lauren Duca and I discuss our current political situation and why we need all hands, especially young hands, on deck.
Talking the Power of Individuals and more with Rebecca Farnum
November 13, 2019 21:13 - 56 minutes - 103 MBIn this episode London based Rebecca Farnum and I discuss a range of social justice issues from Volunteer-tourism’s ups and downs to gender based violence in North Africa. This conversation will definitely get your activist juices flowing if you're feeling stuck. If you're already in motion you'll also find inspiration here. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Talking Self Care, Managing Expectations, and More with Mara Glatzel
October 09, 2019 20:04 - 59 minutes - 110 MBIn this conversation Mara Glatzel and I discuss meaningful self-care (it’s not just baths and chocolate), managing our expectations of ourselves so that we aren’t setting ourselves up, and how thought patterns and belief systems play into self-care. We talk about taking risks and how taking a risk might be the best self-care there is and so much more. I think you’re gonna love this deep conversation. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Talking self care, managing expectations, and more with Mara Glatzel
October 09, 2019 14:34 - 1 hour - 110 MBMara’s Action Items: 1) Make a practice of asking yourself what you need when you wake. Be responsive and flexible in your response to what you hear from yourself. 2) Put a buffer between when you’re stopping work and moving into the rest of your day. Something that lets you wash the energy of the work day away. 3) Turn your social media off for a good chunk of your day. Mara does from 8pm to 8am but adapt this to your life. Take this time to be led by your own mind and your own heart, shutt...
Talking Freedom and Oppression with Louiza Doran
September 04, 2019 19:59 - 1 hour - 129 MBIn this episode Louiza (Weeze) Doran and I talk about reproductive rights and how they are linked to generational poverty for communities of color. We also talk about what it’s gonna take for us all to get to freedom. Weeze doesn’t pull punches and I loved this conversation. I think you will too. Be sure to listen to the end so that you can get Louiza’s suggestions for how to bring activism to our everyday lives. For a written transcript of this episode click here.
Talking With Everyday Activist Grace McKinnon
August 20, 2019 19:52 - 43 minutes - 99.7 MBOn November 7th 2018 Grace McKinnon was on her way back to work when she saw a confrontation unfolding between a black man and police officers in Washington, D.C.. As soon as she saw what was happening Grace stopped her car, got out, started recording and approached the young man, Anthony Williams. The officers had their weapons pointed at Williams and McKinnon knew that she needed to somehow defuse the situation. She calmly approached Williams and started talking to him, telling him that ...
Talking the "Oreo Complex", Belonging, Creativity, and More with Kristin Iris
August 06, 2019 19:43 - 54 minutes - 100 MBIn this episode Kristin Iris and I talk about the “Oreo Complex” the accusation that someone is Black on the outside and white on the inside because they don’t conform to someone’s idea of what being “Black” looks like. Kristin and I also tackle the subjects of belonging, what creativity looks like for her, and so much more.
Talking the "Oreo Complex", belonging, creativity, and more with Kristin Iris
August 06, 2019 05:09 - 54 minutes - 100 MBResources: Oreo to Empowered program: https://www.kristiniris.com/oreotoempowered Connect with Kristin: Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristiniris Website: www.kristiniris.com Podcast: www.patreon.com/melanatedrising
Talking the assault on Reproductive Rights & Saving Roe w/ State Representative Renitta Shannon
July 23, 2019 19:37 - 37 minutes - 86.9 MBIn this episode I talk with Georgia State Representative Renitta Shannon about the accelerating and ongoing assault on reproductive rights and the efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade. This conversation with Renitta inspired me to do more interviews on the subject of abortion rights so keep an eye out for more on this critically important subject.
Talking Gender Roles, Raising Free Children, and more with Craig Pomranz
July 09, 2019 18:30 - 47 minutes - 86.6 MBIn this episode I interview singer, actor, and author Craig Pomranz. This is a first for the podcast! Until now none of my interviewees has been male. I started this podcast really wanting to give more women a voice. Then Craig approached me and when I read his book I was both charmed and sure that his was also a voice to amplify. Craig has written a wonderful children’s book that tackles our stereotypes around gender roles. In a world where we see evidence of toxic masculinity every day pa...
Dyana Valentine Interviews Me and We Talk About Belonging, Alignment, Storytelling and More
June 25, 2019 18:19 - 42 minutes - 96.7 MBA few weeks ago I interviewed Dyana Valentine. In this episode Dyana Valentine turns the tables and interviews me. We talk about belonging (and not), saying “yes”, storytelling and so much more. She even got me to reveal my superpower!
Talking Real Questions, Belonging (or not), and more with Dyana Valentine
June 11, 2019 18:08 - 54 minutes - 125 MBIn this conversation Dyana and I talk about the questions we ask, asking more useful questions, oracle work, our responsibility both locally and globally, and so much more.
Talking Embracing Your Wholeness, Fractals, Pleasure and more with adrienne maree brown
May 14, 2019 18:00 - 59 minutes - 137 MBIn this fabulous conversation adrienne maree brown and I talk about the layers each of us possess, taking up space, bringing pleasure to our day-to-day and so much more. This is an episode you don't want to miss.
Talking Tolerating Discomfort, Brené Brown, the Freedom of Not Giving a Damn, and More with Sharyn Holmes
February 19, 2019 18:34 - 53 minutes - 97.4 MBIn this conversation Gutsy Girl Sharyn Holmes and I discuss doing the work of social justice, how important it is to be able to sit with discomfort as we do this work, Brené Brown and so much more. I loved this conversation for its clarity and honesty. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Talking tolerating discomfort, Brené Brown, the freedom of not giving a damn, and more with Sharyn Holmes
February 19, 2019 16:14 - 53 minutes - 97.4 MBResources mentioned in this episode: Connect with Sharyn: Website: http://www.gutsygirl.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutsygirlart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gutsygirl.com.au/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/gutsygirlart
Talking Spirituality as a Weapon, Facing the Shadow, and More with Rachel Ricketts
February 15, 2019 18:46 - 56 minutes - 130 MBEverything has its shadow and that includes spirituality. In this rich conversation Rachel Ricketts and I talk about that shadow, facing it, what we can learn from it and so much more.
Talking spirituality as a weapon, facing the shadow and more with Rachel Ricketts
February 15, 2019 14:27 - 56 minutes - 130 MBContact Rachel: www.rachelricketts.com @iamrachelricketts Credits: Harmonica music courtesy of a friend Join my Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/omkariwilliams
Talking the Ups and Downs of Social Justice work, the Trap of Expectations, and Much More with Makenna Held
February 06, 2019 18:21 - 58 minutes - 134 MBIn this episode Makenna and I discuss how we can, with the best of intentions, do harm when we intend to do good in the realm of social justice. How expectations are joy killers and so much more.
Talking the ups and downs of social justice work, the trap of expectations and much more with Makenna Held
February 06, 2019 15:12 - 58 minutes - 134 MBConnect with Makenna: website: www.makennaheld.com twitter: @makennaheld facebook: facebook.com/makennaheld Credits: Harmonic music courtesy of a friend
Talking The Breadth of Blackness, Social Media Manipulation, and More with Leesa Renee Hall
January 17, 2019 18:14 - 56 minutes - 129 MBIn this fascinating conversation Leesa Renee Hall and I discuss how white supremacy limits the ways that black people are perceived and the boxes we are “allowed” to fill. We also talk about social media, how to become less reactive and understanding how the algorithms keep us in our bubbles, and so much more. This was a conversation I was really looking forward to and it didn’t disappoint.
Talking The Breadth of Blackness, Social Media Manipulation and more with Leesa Renee Hall
January 17, 2019 14:24 - 56 minutes - 129 MBResources mentioned in this episode: The Sovereignty of Quiet: Beyond Resistance in Black Culture by Kevin Quashie Connect with Leesa: www.instagram.com/leesareneehall www.leesareneehall.com/patron Credits: Harmonica music courtesy of a friend Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/omkariwilliams
Talking Culture, and Your “So What?” w/ Andréa Ranae
January 03, 2019 18:07 - 52 minutes - 96.6 MBIn this conversation Andréa Ranae and I talk about systems, culture, your, “So what?”, the self help industry, your work in the world and so much more.
Talking culture, and your “So What?” w/ Andréa Ranae
January 03, 2019 16:41 - 52 minutes - 96.6 MBConnect with Andréa: Twitter:@andrearanaej Instagram: @andrearanaej Facebook: facebook.com/andrearanaej Credits: Harmonica music courtesy of a friend Support the podcast:
Talking Cultural Identity, Appropriation, and Transformation w/ Anuradha Kowtha
December 12, 2018 17:58 - 55 minutes - 101 MBIn this conversation Anuradha and I talk about the subtleties of cultural appropriation, cultural identity, the process of transformation, and the challenges of imagining different. We also talk about curry.
Talking Inclusion, Self-Determination, KWANZAA, and More with Desiree Adaway
November 27, 2018 17:54 - 54 minutes - 99.7 MBIn this conversation Desiree and I take on the issues of inclusivity, the values of Kwanzaa, what it’s like to walk through the world as a black woman, the challenges of creating a truly new world, and so much more. I loved this engaging and inspiring conversation and I think you will too.
Talking Social Justice, Storytelling, Cultural Appropriation and more with Elinor Predota
November 13, 2018 17:51 - 52 minutes - 96.7 MBIn this episode Elinor and I talk about social justice work, storytelling, how to avoid being culturally appropriative and so much more. This wide ranging conversation will get you thinking in ways you may not have before.