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
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
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 […]
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
During her sophomore of college, Angela “Merk” Nguyen (Adult ISH podcast) was sitting around a fire pit when her brother gave her some advice. That advice began to sink in as she realized that because of her family’s sacrifices and experiences, she was poised to take advantage of all the opportunities that were coming her way. Now a college graduate beginning her career in NYC, we talk about the journey of her immigrant parents from Vietnam, how she found her […]
Categories: Career, Family, Immigration, Podcasting, Race
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
When Sarah Bracey White (author of Primary Lessons) was seventeen her mother died. She talks about growing up in the Jim Crow South, the impact segregation had on her family in South Carolina, and the independence she gained from unexpected loss.
Categories: Career, Family, Grief & Loss, Most Listened To, Parenthood, Race, Women's Issues • Tags: Episode