Seeing the phrase “nothing about us without us” in action made Marinke van Riet question her actions as a person and as a leader. We talk about her subsequent resignation as director of Voice, why representation matters, the future of international development, and what it means to belong. Additional Resources Marinke’s blog on Voice: Because representation matters! And Then Suddenly’s collaboration with Voice: And Then Suddenly: Rising Voices
As a Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) volunteer, Big D was working with a child and realized he was where he belonged when he saw the light come back to her eyes. We talk about epiphanies, giving back to the community, and what bikers at B.A.C.A. are doing to help empower abused children. Additional Resources Bikers Against Child Abuse website B.A.C.A. Long Island Chapter Helpline: (631) 408-8218 Contact Big D: BigD@li-ny.bacaworld.org
Melissa Panszi Riebe was at a crossroads in her career when she shared her jewelry making dreams with an acquaintance over dinner. The conversation that followed inspired her to launch A D’Zine. We talk about her transition from social worker to maker, the power of jewelry, and running a small business with purpose. Additional Resources A D’ZineA D’Zine on Instagram
Categories: Activism, Career, Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Race
Ashley Lauren Rogers was working in the steampunk scene when she learned a friend and colleague was accused of nonconsensual relations with someone else in the community. Seeing how willing people were able to dismiss the claims, her decision to immediately step away from the scene changed everything. We talk about the fantasy of steampunk, what happens when you decide to take a stand, why it’s important to believe survivors. Additional Resources Connect with Ashley: http://www.ashleylaurenrogers.com Is it […]
Categories: Activism, Career, LGBTQIA, Politics, The Arts, Writing
Jennifer Tan was working a demanding job at a management consultancy firm when she had the idea to create a business empowerment program for women. Through a series of events her idea developed into a financial literacy program for domestic abuse survivors. Now the Founder of the Shine Foundation, we talk about her unexpected journey to starting a nonprofit, how social impact work has changed her, and the financial pressures facing domestic abuse survivors. Additional Resources Shine Foundation […]
Categories: Activism, Career, Entrepreneurship, Trauma, Women's Issues
As a Deaf woman in Nigeria, Hellen Beyioku-Alase heard stories about the discrimination in hospitals towards the Deaf community but it wasn’t until her first pregnancy that she experienced how bad the problem was. After being ignored in the waiting room and a difficult birth, she decided to advocate for Deaf women and girls. We talk about her work to get sign language interpreters into hospitals and what she is doing so all Deaf women know their rights. *This interview […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Disability Rights, Family, Medical Event, Parenthood, Women's Issues
Neema Tembele was bartending when she had her first panic attack. The painful physical sensations went away once she got to the hospital but the event set her on a new path. Now the Co-Founder and Data Analytics Director TEWWY, we talk about the challenges and unexpected benefits of her moment and how she is now on a mission to increase mental health understanding and access in her homeland of Tanzania. Additional Resources Thrive Global, “One Size Does […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Family, Mental Health
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) When Bwiite Lydia was a young girl, she witnessed her widowed grandmother have her land taken by a family member. The event sparked her desire to support people facing injustice, especially women. Now a human rights lawyer, we talk about what it takes to fight for her clients and her current role supporting marginalized workers in Uganda. Additional Resources Human Rights Day Platform for Labour Action (PLA) On […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Women's Issues
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) Maureen Ava Mata was eighteen when she was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to have her leg amputated. Her new life as a disabled woman changed her outlook, her family, and the views of her community. Now a cancer survivor, we talk about her mission to challenge misperceptions and advocate for fellow disabled persons in the Philippines. This episode is in honor of International Day of Persons […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Disability Rights, Family, Illness, Medical Event
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) About four years ago, Anna Xwexx Morena sought asylum in Denmark for her safety and the chance to freely express herself. But the experience was not what she expected and feeling unsafe and used as a transgender woman, she returned to Uganda. We talk about her mission to help other Ugandan transgender women with their mental health needs, her experience as a grassroots activist, and her vision for the […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Grief & Loss, LGBTQIA, Mental Health, Politics
Mohamed Magassa was in 7th grade when he got a STEM magazine that showed a picture of a white surgeon. Without a second thought, he closed the page. Years later, when he was considering a career in medicine, he thought back to that moment. Now studying to be a surgeon, we talk about why representation matters and his mission to inspire others in his Bronx community through H.O.O.D. Productions. Additional Resources H.O.O.D. Productions on Instagram February-May 2020: H.O.O.D. workshops and […]
Categories: Activism, Career, Medical Event, Race
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) Years into his addiction, Mike Wanjeng’u was having an argument with his parents when his father said something that cut him to the core. Months later, he went rehab and is now three years sober. We talk about his journey to recovery, how it led him help and advocate for those with mental health issues through Tinada Youth Organization, and the importance of love and World Mental Health Day. […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Family, Mental Health
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) READ THE TRANSCRIPT FOR EPISODE 41 In celebration of International Day of Older Persons, I talk with two guests who are using their retirement to help fellow senior citizens. After a career working in Cambodian hospitals, Ou Vanda was painfully aware of the health issues facing older people in her country. Upon his return to the Philippines, former educator Rizal Balatbat found himself learning about senior issues and […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, Family, Grief & Loss, Illness, Medical Event, Podcasting, Politics
This episode is part of a special series: And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s) When a friend invited Anan Bouapha to attend a HIV prevention volunteer workshop, he went because he thought it would be a social event. But the moment the training started, he was suddenly motivated to help his community. Through a series of opportunities, in 2012 he organized the first Pride festival in Laos. Now the Founder of Proud to Be Us Laos, we talk about his leadership journey […]
Categories: Activism, And Then Suddenly; Rising Voice(s), Career, LGBTQIA, Politics
Winston Shaw was a freelance sound recordist filming on location in the Catskills. Spending days without reception, when he finally got service his cell exploded with texts about a job offer from HBO but because he had been unreachable, the position was already filled. Missing a rare creative opportunity, he decided to leave his artistic career in NYC for law school. Now a public defender in Sante Fe, we talk about his passion for criminal law and the realities of […]
The morning after the 2016 election, Amanda Frankel was in her bathroom when she learned that Hillary Clinton lost. Feeling paralyzed, she decided to fight. For the first time, she felt her day-to-day life had to be part of a growing movement. We talk about her decision to run for Congress against the long-time Democratic incumbent of NY-10, how she’s creating policy with people in her community, and the challenges facing progressive candidates. Additional Resources Amanda Frankel for Congress Website Instagram Twitter […]
When he was a student at West Point, Brian Baker had a mystical experience. During a sermon on Maundy Thursday, he found God. Experiencing an intense feeling of love, the moment began his journey into the priesthood. Now ordained as an Episcopal priest for almost 30 years, we talk about how Christianity led him to become an LGBTQIA rights activist, the state of love in the country, and his time at Burning Man. Additional Resources Brian’s sermons: Religious AF, Sermon […]
One week before our interview, Steven Pacheco was on a bus ride to Boston when the driver called the police on a young black passenger for being on his phone. While recording the event, Steven realized he was observing the policing of black and brown bodies in a new way. We talk about race, trauma, and how leadership opportunities are changing this self-proclaimed Renaissance man and his experience as a black man in America. Additional Resources Connect with Steven Twitter: @MrStevenPacheco […]
Julie Dombo was at an AT&T store in Derby, Kansas when she was shot during a robbery. That event on August 11, 2015 led to an extensive hospitalization and left Julie as a quadruple amputee. We talk about her totally changed life, the optimism needed to carry on, her mission to share her story, and America’s relationship with guns. Additional Resources Wichita Public Schools (video): Julie Dombo at Heights High School – March 13, 2018 The Wichita Eagle: Julie Dombo […]
Categories: Activism, Family, Medical Event, Politics, Trauma
After having her daughter and changing careers, Amanda Laird felt unsatisfied. And then the US election happened and the Toronto based Holistic Nutritionist had to do something. She decided to start a podcast to address periods, reproductive health, and other taboo health topics. We chat about the politics behind menstruation, the post-election women’s movement, and why you should become the expert on your own body. Additional Resources Heavy Flow: Breaking the Curse of Menstruation by Amanda Laird Heavy Flow podcast Amanda […]
Categories: Activism, Entrepreneurship, Podcasting, Women's Issues, Writing
In 2003, Richard Chang (Citizen Wong) was doing voice over work for the Bill Moyers documentary, Becoming American: The Chinese Experience, when he first learned about Wong Chin Foo, a popular writer and activist during the Gilded Age. Wong was the first to use the term Chinese American, and was known by name to the American public, but has virtually disappeared from history. Discovering him led Richard to years of research in order to create a new kind of play that smashes stereotypes and presents roles for Asian Americans. We talk about prejudice, […]
Categories: Activism, Immigration, Race, The Arts, Writing
In September 2016, Chris Tatem (Cross Examined Life podcast) was in a hospital waiting room when the sound of the television became incredibly loud and all he could focus on was the two political pundits on the screen. As he watched them personally attack each other, he wondered if there is a better way we can disagree. We talk the current political divide, how the language we use gives us permission to do extreme things, and what it takes to […]
Categories: Activism, Career, Family, Love, Medical Event, Podcasting, Politics
While sailing in August of 1999, disability advocate Becky Curran felt numbness in her legs. It was the first sign of a progressive condition that could take away her ability to walk. After a successful back surgery, she encountered social changes as her friends in high school started excluding her because of her size. We talk about her life as a little person, misconceptions about the disabled community, and her mission to change the world for the next generation through […]
Categories: Activism, Disability Rights, Medical Event, Trauma
Elizabeth Nelson was living in New York City and pursuing a career in the performing arts when one night on her couch she had an epiphany. Now the Marketing and Communications Manager for Berkshire Humane Society, we talk about how she changed careers, the world of animal welfare, and her future full of chickens. Additional Resources Elizabeth Nelson: Little E Design Berkshire Humane Society ASPCA Kitten Nursery in NYC
Megan Bryan was loving the firefighter life when she decided to be a single mother by choice. She found a sperm donor and after numerous rounds of fertility treatments, her daughter was born and she suddenly had to confront the worst biases about herself and our society. We talk about parenthood, racism, sexism, and her partner and their growing family. Additional Resources San Francisco Chronicle: “Black firefighter on inspection duty in Oakland hills gets videotaped, reported to police”
Categories: Activism, Career, Family, LGBTQIA, Mental Health, Parenthood, Race, Trauma, Women's Issues