Pod Save the Rest of Us

In today's episode, we discuss trauma, racism, and steps to set people free from the hateful heart of racism and the harmful pain it inflicts on people of color.  References are made to Isabel Wilkerson's important book, "Caste. The Origins of Our Discontents."  This episode takes a personal exploration into the American caste system.  A plea is made for a collective beneficence throughout humanity, urging each of us to appreciate the beauty in the world and the steps we can take to set everyone free!

In this interview, ALLY Panelist, Justice Stanley, interviews our own Podcaster, Elizabeth Stanley, who also happens to be her mother. The two discuss ALLYSHIP, as they acknowledge that we all can and should do more to keep showing up for people in marginal spaces and we need to do more for one another. 

Learn where to start and how to find your why.

Time to bang the drum. Time to take a stand. Time to talk about racism. Time to demand change. With our voices - With difficult conversations - With conviction. Be the change! Be an ally. Be persistent, as we ALL demand fairness! We need to quit failing to imagine what opportunities could be. We hear these charges and so many more, as ALLY Panelist, Jill Veglahn talks with her activist mentor, Dan Seaver of ManifestWorks.

This Stanford University power couple discuss Lisa Moore Rameé’s books (Good Kind Of Trouble and Something to Say). They also discuss their personal experiences with racism. While discussing hope for a better America, strategies are offered to ensure that we see the vaue of the humaneness of one another.

As part of the LISTEN portion of our Solid Ally series, please join us as we ride along with Rodney. Jump on board and listen as Rodney steers us through what it’s like to have grown up black in America and live as a black man in America today. If we all take the time to ride along to get a glimpse into the life of another, there is hope that we can spark a better understanding and remove some of the blind spots we have when we don’t share a lived experience.

Forged by the war in Cambodia, facing near starvation, and constant danger, Mony Nop at the the age of six, walked amid bombs and land mines from Cambodia to Thailand while more than two million of his fellow citizens were being slaughtered by the Pol Pot Regime during the Killing Fields of Cambodia.  Mony and his family were devastated by war. Here is Mony Nop’s story and why he is running for Livermore’s Mayor.

As a part of our Learn series, we had author, Mike Nacimento, join our host, Elizabeth Stanley.  In this episode you will hear their discussion about Mike’s article and his life journey.  For our audience, Mike then shares his article,  titled:  “Why Sports, Race & Social Mobility Matter.”  Through his words, Mike gives us a history lesson on the useage of sports as a vehicle for change in American society, but also a vehicle for vital change in one’s own agency.   

LEARN The Origins of Racism. Coach Tony Green takes us in a learning journey. From this episode, we learn the origins of racism in America and how it is still plaguing its citizens today. This episode is both informative and interesting.

Today’s episode features Professor Kelly Musgrove a retired union City CA police Commander, who is now teaching at Central Oregon Community College. Hear why “There should be a reallocation of funding that moves the responsibility away from ‘law enforcement’ as responders to instances of mental illness, drug addiction, and homelessness

This is our ALLY - Accept Episode. In this episode you will hear Rodney talk with his friend - a lawyer and activist, Cherri Allison. Cherri has talked with, and learned from, some of the most revered world leaders, including The Dalai Lama, John Lewis and Angela Davis. Cherri used these great humanitarians’ guidance to carve out her career working in the judicial system. Her goal: CHANGE IT FROM WITHIN!

In this introduction, our panelist will share their story and what ally-ship means to them. You will hear each ALLY team member tell you why he/she/they needed to become a SOLID ALLY!

 This episode is our first real conversation. We discuss timely racial justice topics and how we hope to bend justice in favor of truth and justice for all. This is our final introduction.  No more talk, it is time to roll up the sleeves and do needed social justice work. We are finally off the sidelines now and officially in the SOLID ALLY GAME! 

The love Megan has for her Marine aids in our understanding that every life journey is filled with opportunities to learn and to love. In this episode, Megan shares some of her gained life lessons. Megan also expresses the love she has for her Marine. A love that keeps her holding on to the life she has built with David. We met David this season in Episodes 10 and 11. This episode features Megan and some of her thoughts about a family's life in the military.

Many athletes will find this story to be all too familiar. In this episode, EJ, a college basketball superstar, shares his journey from the hardwood to happiness. After his college career and all the accolades had faded, EJ was not so certain that he could find his next love. Finding joy beyond the basketball arena was trying, but the search brought him a family and work palace that he loves and anchors him.

From outgoing and energetic, to dark and contemplating suicide. This is Brenda’s story of finding light and love at the end of her very long dark journey. After too many concussions, this competitive athlete found herself suffering a deep and dark depressive state. So low was Brenda, that she feared she would never find her light that once shined brightly in her life. This is Brenda’s very honest discussion of her battle with depression, which does not stand a chance against her relentless beautiful spirit. Hear how Brenda finds light even in the very dark spaces of her mind.

As a young and adventurous teenager, Steven decided to go skateboarding and this one decision changed his life forever. We met Steven’s girlfriend in Season two, “Wheelchair Jedi.” You may recall, they are building a life together. In this interview, Steven shares this beautiful -though challenging- life with us We learn about Steven’s journey to find meaning and love in his life. This adventure-seeking young man only believes in the limits he sets for himself. This is Steven’s story of facing his life on wheels.

This is David’s story of serving in the military and the impact it has on a family. David shares war details and how battle has left scars; many of which will never heal. This is David’s story of war, self-destruction, and finding his way back home. 

Here is part two of our David Series. Of course, if you have not listened to part one, you should do so now and then come back and see how David managed to leave the battlefield behind and rebuild his life in the image of all that he values. 

These two Los Angeles Film Industry Moguls dared to be the change they wanted to see in the Media Production World. As founders and owners of SHE TV Media, a production company, Meredith and Natalie are thriving in a very competitive industry and they are doing so on their own terms.