Ursula Benward: Identity Informs Reality

Hey fam! I am so excited to introduce you to our next guest, Ursula Benward. She has been a counselor for almost 20 years now and uses her lived experience as a queer, Native woman with ADHD, OCD, trauma, and neurodivergence to inform her practice. She is originally from the Navajo Nation. Speaking with Ursula was one of those experiences that simultaneously felt new and inspiring, while also feeling at home. I grew up with the Navajo Nation in my backyard and took for granted the many friendships and memories I have from there. Chatting with Ursula felt completely new, as every conversation I have with another out lesbian, because that’s where I am in my journey still. But as she talked, vivid memories from years ago came back to me in a way I wasn’t expecting. It’s amazing how the way I didn’t understand myself colors so many memories. Ursula has had the most amazing career, in the mental health field. From being the child therapist on a remote Native reservation to teaching families resilience skills, to manning a crisis line, to present-day being in private practice. And as we love to hear, along the way to professional success and fulfillment, she found love too. Fam, we are living in intense times and we are living our one precious wild life. We at Pride and Joy Foundation want to make sure you’re able to experiences moments of peace and joy, because you, Dear One, deserve to experience peace and joy. To that end we’ve published our first meditative coloring book for our community “Color Me Queer”. Maybe you’re like me and you didn’t get to experience basic childhood memories with authenticity. Maybe you need passive physical activity with some white noise in order to shut down all the mental tabs and experience true silence. Maybe you want to show a loved one how much you care about them, without risking you’re supporting a rainbow-washing corporation, but instead supporting a Foundation working to create systemic change. One of the most unique meditative coloring books you’ll find, our hope is that you’re able to experience moments of peace and joy within it’s pages. Order your copy and gifts at www.ColorMeQueerBook.com When you purchase through our website, we receive a $6 donation, but full transparency, it’s also a few dollars cheaper on Amazon. To get a copy with a personal note from me, your host Elena Joy, head to www.ColorMeQueerBook.com Thank you family! We can’t do any of this without you and we appreciate you so much! Now get ready to laugh with the amazing Ursula Benward. http://www.hozhocounseling.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hozhocounselingllc/ Native 2SLGBTQIA+ links: https://www.wernative.org https://www.nativeyouthsexualhealth.com/peersupportmanual https://mmiwusa.org https://www.csvanw.org/mmiw/ https://www.navajonationpride.com https://strongheartshelpline.org https://www.iwrising.org/abortion-fund