Ep. 33: Sierra Austin-King

One of the greatest gifts of my work is the people: they’re people doing extraordinary work who are committed to their own growth. Sierra is no different — but in additional to all of that, I feel eternally humbled that she trusts me.I officiated Sierra’s wedding at Congo Square in New Orleans. If you don’t know Congo Square, you should: it’s the birthplace of all American music. Enslaved Africans had one day off a week on Sundays, and it was there in Congo Square that they gathered to sign, dance, and feel the freedom in their spirits. Those rhythms blended with Carribean and Latin American sound to eventually inform Jazz, the Blues, and what we now call Rock’n’Roll and Hip Hop. All of it.The music matters to me, because of how those beats and voices carried forward ancestral wisdom, grief, and hope. The energy in Armstrong Park, just across Rampart Street from the French Quarter, is palpable. I was not sure it was appropriate for me - a white lady born in Virginia - to interface with those energies, but Sierra trusted me. That was the beginning of our incredible collaborative work - which we talk a little more about in this episode. Dr. Austin-King is an expert in Black feminist thought, and brings it down to earth in her everyday life.This is an episode about how to stay connected to the generations that came before us, and how to wisely navigate the world for the future generations. I especially loved hearing from Sierra about how she’s teaching her kids about a spiritual life that is grounded in family history.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.* 00:00:25] Introducing Dr. Sierra Austin-King* [00:05:45] Growing up: folk traditions, ancestral altars & Catholic school* [00:13:50] What Sierra’s spiritual practice looks like today* [00:21:14] Rest as birthright & the body as ancestral altar* [00:24:56] The spiritual principles guiding her right now* [00:34:23] What healing actually feels like — and why it’s hard This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit veralester.substack.com/subscribe