Resilience and Resistance Podcast

Mental Health
Society & Culture
Alternative Health

Women of color
trauma
black women
BIPOC
THERAPY
Denver
Marisol
Indigenous women
Indigenous Peoples Day
LGBTQ
psychotherapist
Resilience
Resistance

The Resilience and Resistance podcast is about successful Black, Indigenous and Women of Color who are overcoming trauma and becoming resilient.

The vision for this podcast is to illuminate the dichotomy that many BIPOC female-identified individuals face in their daily lives; holding space for healing or managing past and present trauma, while maintaining a "professional" identity as they strive towards their work and other goals.

Support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/resilience-w-64601497

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Credits

Marisol Solarte-Erlacher
Julius Hinton

Imposter Syndrome and Finding our Voice

This is a conversation with Crystal Middlestadt (She/Her, They/Them). This episode includes topics such as domestic violence, code switching, finding our professional voice and how to begin the process of healing trauma. Crystal is the Executive Director of the Chinook Fund.

The Chinook Fund supports grassroots organizations working on issues of social and economic justice; by pooling our collective resources, we seed groups making a positive, systemic impact to improve the quality of life for all Coloradans. Crystal previously worked for the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT), Survivors Organizing for Liberation, a former Chinook Fund grantee, and is proud to have helped kickstart resource mobilization gatherings at the Allied Media Conference.

During their tenure at GIFT, Crystal was proud to bring the 2016 Money for Our Movements: A Social Justice Fundraising Conference to Denver. Crystal is a board member of Resource Generation, serves on the steering committee for the national Giving Project learning community, and participated in the Transformative Leadership for Change fellowship for Colorado leaders of color.

Crystal was raised in a small, working class town in Oregon by a family of paper mill workers and was the first person in her family to graduate from college. After receiving her B.S. in Sociology and Women’s Studies from the University of Oregon in 2003, Crystal moved to Denver and soon began organizing around issues of gender justice, LGBTQ anti-violence, and racial justice, sparking her to put down roots in this mountain state. They are continually inspired by Adrienne Maree Brown, author of Emergent Strategy, who reminds us that what we pay attention to grow. Crystal lives in southwest Denver and spends their spare time learning to garden, building their vinyl collection, sneaker shopping, and camping throughout the West.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Finding Your Voice Through Your Emotions

Claudia Martinez (they, she, he) is a well-rounded artist, with skill sets ranging from improv to acting, to stand-up comedy, and the camera is no stranger to her. She hails from the lush horse country haven of Elgin, IL. She's a professionally working actor in Chicago; trained in acting and comedy (and also performs regularly) at The Second City, i.O Theater, and The Annoyance.

She's performed with several house ensembles and duo’s at i.O., The Second City as an ensemble member writing and acting in four original revues. Later she joined the Outreach group as a teacher and facilitator, teaching at risk youth the fundamentals of improv and comedy. Claudia was fortunate to join The Second City Works, lending her real-world business experience and acting to several corporate industrial and commercial shoots including Holiday Inn Express, The Live special Clorox Ick Awards with Rachel Dratch, and the Nationally toured All-State sketch show 'Drive it Home'.

Claudia shares her experiences of someone that grew up in a home with domestic violence, Claudia has had a long journey of healing. She found herself muting her experiences and was unable to access her feelings. She talks about the process of opening up her perspectives and allowing herself to recognize what she is feeling. She talks about dismantling cultural pressure and identities to become her true self.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Internalized Oppression and Finding Community

Saira (NOT Sara) Rao grew up in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Indian immigrants. For forty years, she wasted her precious time aspiring to be white and accepted by dominant white society, a futile task for anyone not born with white skin. Several years ago, Saira began the painful process of dismantling her own internalized oppression. Saira is a lawyer-by-training, a former congressional candidate, a published novelist and co-founder of Race2Dinner, where she and her partner, Regina Jackson, host radically honest conversations about racism with white women. Regina and Saira's upcoming book, WHITE WOMEN: EVERYTHING YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT YOUR OWN RACISM AND HOW TO DO BETTER will be published by Penguin/Random House.

Haven (QUILT) is a radical digital platform by and for women of color, dedicated to our continuous journey of healing. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.

https://www.havenmedia.org

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Racial Trauma, Invisible Lines and Generational Resilience

My name is Dr. Melody Brown (she/her/hers). I am a cisgender female, an educator, couple and family therapist, clinical supervisor, consultant, and public speaker. My passion is working to decimate social injustice. I hold several marginalized identities: Queer, Black, Queen Sized, and Woman... and I’m learning to love each part of me more and more every day.

I teach in higher education with a focus on social justice issues in couple and family therapy. I have a private practice offering consultation, training, public speaking, clinical supervision and therapy. I am working on creating a model for new therapists to practice through a social justice lens. The critical element is that they begin to learn and own their privilege and the ways privilege decentralizes communities of color and queer and trans communities. I am also working to reach large companies to dismantle the barriers that prevent them from respectfully serving consumers and fairing hiring and managing employees.

This year (2020) we are witnessing the rebirth of combined social justice movements around the world. I am so honored to be alive during this season of change because this time…the REVOLUTION will be televised!

Find information on Dr. Melody Brown's private psychotherapy practice

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/melody-m-brown-denver-co/774548

Notes from the show:

My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem

https://www.resmaa.com/books

Questlove: Trayvon Martin and I Ain’t Shit

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2013/07/questlove-trayvon-martin-and-i-aint-shit.html

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Disrupting Power Through Vulnerability

Senator Julie Gonzales represents Colorado’s Senate District 34, which includes north, west, and downtown Denver. First elected in 2018, she currently serves as Chair of the Finance committee, Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations Committee. She is also the Secretary for the Colorado Democratic Latinx Caucus. In her first two years, she championed the repeal of the death penalty, banned ICE from conducting unconstitutional courthouse arrests, advanced social equity for retail marijuana licenses, strengthened immunization requirements for school entry, and secured millions of dollars for affordable housing.

A proud Chicana with roots that go back in Colorado for generations, Julie has dedicated her life to organizing and building power for marginalized communities both within and outside of the Capitol. Prior to running for office, Julie served as a paralegal to non-citizens navigating the broken criminal justice and immigration systems, organized a statewide grassroots movement to defend and advance immigrant rights, supported parents and students organizing to advance educational justice and demand an end to the school-to-prison pipeline, and brought labor and community together to hold developers accountable through a community benefits agreement.

Julie is a co-founder and former statewide board chair of the Colorado Latino Forum, a founding board member of United We Dream, and a trainer with New American Leaders. She holds a B.A. in History and Ethnicity, Race, and Migration from Yale University. She lives in Denver’s Northside with her husband Ben and their shih-tzu mutt Chookie.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Play As A Form of Resistance

Shontel Lewis was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2018 and took office in January 2019 representing the northeastern portion of the Regional Transportation District. This area is comprised of Aurora within Adams County, City & County of Denver, and unincorporated Adams County lying south of Denver.Shontel is a Colorado Native, transit rider and long-time community leader.

She grew up in the Historic Five Points neighborhood and she is a proud graduate of Manual High School. Shontel serves as an Associate Director for the Community Engagement Strategy and Advocacy (CESA) team for the Denver Public Schools (DPS). In this role, she works directly with school leaders, families, and students to identify opportunities and resources needed to support.

Prior to that, she served as the Transit Equity Specialist at the Regional Transportation District (RTD). In this role, she worked towards social equity with the commitment to authentic community engagement and shared decision-making. She previously lead as the Director of Equity and Innovation at Project V.O.Y.C.E, a non-profit that she co-founded after the closure of Manual High School.She is a proud Emerge Colorado graduate, a Mayoral Appointee to the Denver Women’s Commission, and served on the Walk Denver Policy Committee, Denveright Community Think Tank and co-chaired the Advisory Board for the YMCA.

Currently, she serves on the Board of Radian|Place Matters, a non-profit dedicated to creating healthy communities through a systems thinking approach that prioritizes creative community engagement, participatory design, and increased social equity. Shontel is committed to equitable access, removing barriers and bringing diverse representation of all communities into RTD decision-making.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grief, Loss & Building Resilience Through Storytelling

Born and raised in Elgin, Illinois to Mexican immigrant parents and youngest of 6. Grew up in a traditional family and exposed to her Mexican roots, customs and traditions throughout her life as a child and adult. Her first passion was the love of track and cross-country, joined the Elgin Sharks Track Club at the age of 8 and hasn’t hung up her running shoes ever since. An accomplished marathon runner and a triathlete novice.

Marina Cerón-Perez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College and is a native Spanish speaker.

Married for 20 years and a mother to three amazing children; 12, 9, and 7, and a 1 year old puppy. She began her career in 1997 as an all crimes Criminal Intelligence Analyst with the Illinois State Police and assigned to multiple Major Crimes Task Forces. October 2000, she was hired by the Carol Stream Police Department as a Crime Analyst.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking Generational Trauma Through Community & Family Support

***Episode contains content related to physical abuse and childhood sexual abuse***

When Tran Wills, Base Coat Founder, was pregnant with her fourth child, she swung by her local salon for a pedicure. While waiting for her treatment, she became nauseous from the harsh chemicals and her nose started bleeding. She immediately walked out, reflecting on everything that was wrong with the nail industry.

Having grown up in nail salons, she witnessed her own family working in conditions that were hazardous to their health, while also being unfairly compensated. She understood that her family’s experience wasn’t unique—it was the industry standard.

In her gut, Tran knew it was time for a better option: a salon that supported the health and well-being of everyone, customers and staff alike.

That’s why in 2013 she founded Base Coat, the first non-toxic nail salon in Denver and one of only a few in the entire country.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Preserving Black Identity in the Latinx Community

With a strong commitment to reproductive justice, Juana Rosa builds power for transformative change. She has dedicated her professional career and community advocacy to projects that make real improvements to people’s lives. Her vision has been crafted by roles within reproductive justice, public health, Latino/a policy research and civil rights advocacy. Currently, she is Director of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF), the largest statewide alliance dedicated to reproductive freedom in California.

She also maintains a side-hustle: taking care of three kids, alongside her partner, who calls her “Mimi” and demand that she read The Avengers themed comic books over and over and over every, single, day.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Holding Infinite, Restorative, Revolutionary Possibility

As a Denver native, Kim Desmond was raised in the Five Points neighborhood in Denver, Colorado where she graduated from Manual High School. Kim has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit and government sector within the field of diversity, inclusion, racial equity work, and early childhood development. Kim holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Fort Hays State University, Master’s in Community Counseling from Fort Hays State University, Master’s in Education Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Denver, and an Early Childhood Leadership certification from the University of Denver.

She is currently the Director within the Mayor’s Office of Social Equity and Innovation, charged with operationalizing racial equity into local government programs, processes and policies by eliminating systemic racism. The key function of this office includes: Policy and Operations: Improve policy, service delivery and equitable distribution of resources to ensure that priorities of equity are integrated in key programs, practice and processes. Implementation: Support a variety of equity and inclusion initiatives by applying tools and training to normalize social justice practices across all city departments. Learning and Development: Create a culturally responsive learning and development platform for all city departments to enhance the skills needed to address racial disparities.

She serves on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Health Equity Commission, Denver Public Schools Bond Oversight Committee, and Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s board as a trustee.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @Resilience_and_Resistance

Learn more about Marisol & EMDR Therapy | Start Your Treatment Today via Teleheath

Music: Inte-Gritty by Bianca Mikahn

Art: Maite Nazario | http://www.maitenazario.com

Podcast Production: https://www.theplug-agency.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.