Fierce Compassion

In this powerful season finale of Fierce Compassion, hosts Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton turn inward to reflect on the urgent questions facing us in these turbulent times: How do we stay human in the face of inhumanity? Where do we put our life energy? And what does fierce compassion look like when we’re stretched thin? With honesty, humor, and heart, Roxy and Sarah share personal stories of grief, resistance, and hope—exploring the importance of capacity, community, and choosing where to show up. Tune in for a deeply moving conversation that invites you to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to your own authentic contribution.Episode TranscriptYou can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!Podcast Manager: James BoutinAudio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we listen in on a powerful coaching conversation between Roxy and Savanah, who reflect on a painful rupture in a once-trusted relationship. Savanah shares what it was like to experience a microaggression from someone she thought was a close friend. Together, they unpack the layers of hurt, power, and self-doubt that followed—and what it might mean to speak up now, even after years of silence. Roxy offers gentle guidance as Savanah explores how to stay true to her values and reach for connection without losing herself.Episode TranscriptSavanah is a thoughtful seeker and community member committed to living from the heart. With a background shaped by mindfulness practice and deep relational inquiry, she brings sensitivity to questions of authenticity, power, and belonging. Savanah’s journey has included navigating complex dynamics of class, race, and conditional love—both in her family and spiritual communities. Through storytelling and reflection, she invites us into the courageous work of self-trust, healing, and choosing relationships rooted in dignity and mutual respect.You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!Podcast Manager: James BoutinAudio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this special coaching episode of Fierce Compassion, Roxy and Prabha reflect on the challenges of engaging in hard conversations with presence and care. They explore how recognizing emotional responses and making space for dialogue can foster deeper understanding. Together, they examine the importance of holding grief, pausing when needed, and navigating conflicting strategies with intention. Through their reflections, they offer insights into when to engage, when to interrupt, and when to step back for support. Join us for this thoughtful discussion on authentic connection, wise action, and finding common ground even in challenging moments.Episode TranscriptOur guest in this coaching episode is Prabha, an Indian-Australian psychologist and public health professional, who has worked in the areas of trauma and human rights for over 30 years. Prabha has spent much of her life adapting to different cultures. In this coaching call with Roxy, Prabha seeks support with the challenge of having an honest, meaningful conversations with a longtime friend who reacts differently to the genocide in Gaza than her —while still maintaining some sense of connection.You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!Podcast Manager: James BoutinAudio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this special episode of Fierce Compassion, we invite you into two deeply moving live coaching sessions with Sarah Peyton. First, we meet Ouida, who longs to show up authentically with her father and son, yet finds herself caught in patterns of silence shaped by childhood and generational agreements. Through Sarah’s resonant coaching, she begins to reclaim her voice. Then, Lara courageously explores an unsettling moment of implicit bias, tracing its roots to early social conditioning and systemic oppression. These conversations reveal the hidden contracts we carry—about power, belonging, and voice—and offer an opportunity for all of us to reflect, heal, and move toward greater freedom.Episode TranscriptOur first guest in this coaching episode is Ouida Patten, a bi-cultural Black woman raised in the Southern United States. In this coaching call with Sarah Peyton, Ouida opens up about her journey of navigating generational patriarchy, breaking cycles of silence, and reclaiming her voice. With honesty and vulnerability, she and Sarah demonstrate how coaching can support deep self-inquiry, connection, and emotional liberation.Our second guest is Lara, a white Mid-Atlantic American with Western European roots. In this powerful conversation, Lara reflects on how unconscious biases can take shape through early encounters with racial discrimination in school and then show up in unexpected moments throughout adulthood. With courage and introspection, she works with Sarah to unpack these internalized patterns, opening the door to greater awareness, accountability, and connection. You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!Podcast Manager: James BoutinAudio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we welcome Shilpa Jain, former executive director of YES!, to explore the art of deep listening, conflict transformation, and participatory leadership. Shilpa shares how her upbringing in a tight-knit Jain community shaped her understanding of interdependence and belonging. We discuss how storytelling fosters connection across divides, the importance of co-creating spaces of healing, and the role of fractals in systemic change. With wisdom drawn from decades of community-building, Shilpa offers insights on navigating conflict with courage and compassion. Join us for a conversation on how small, intentional acts of connection can build a more just and loving world. TranscriptShilpa Jain is currently rooting herself in Oakland/Berkeley, CA. For 11+ years, she served as the Executive Director of YES!, working with social changemakers at the meeting point of internal, interpersonal and systemic change. Prior to taking on this role, Shilpa spent two years as the Education and Outreach Coordinator of Other Worlds and ten years as a learning activist with Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education and Development, based in Udaipur, India. She has facilitated dozens of transformative leadership gatherings with thousands of multigenerational leaders from over 50 countries. She is passionate about dance and music, organic and natural farming, upcycling and zero waste living, asking appreciative questions and being in community. A focus on healing, forgiveness, compassion, love and wholeness permeates all of her work and life. Follow Shilpa online:Substack - https://shilpajain.substack.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shilpa.jain.3194/Episode Mentions:Dr Martin Luther King JrBliss BrowneAppreciative Inquiry by David Cooperrider and Diana WhitneyYes! JamsCoumba ToureMargaret J. WheatleyDerrick JensenYou can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!Podcast Manager: James BoutinAudio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we welcome Christine Saxman. Christine is a racial equity facilitator, coach, and co-author of Being White Today: A Road Map for a Positive Anti-Racist Life. Christine shares her journey from classroom teacher to a full-time anti-racism educator. We explore the role of self-compassion in navigating mistakes, the power of loving accountability, and the challenges of working with white people at different stages of racial awareness. Christine offers insights on embracing both/and thinking, breaking down white defensiveness, and fostering transformation without reinforcing shame. Join us for a nuanced, deeply reflective conversation on what it means to engage in anti-racism with courage and care. Episode Transcript Christine Saxman is the co-author of Being White Today: A Roadmap for a Positive Antiracist Life with Shelly Tochluk and the Western State Center’s Toolkit “Confronting Conspiracy Theories and Organized Bigotry at Home: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers” with Shelly Tochluk and Joanna Schroeder. Her racial justice work has been featured on NPR’s Life Kit and other shows. A seasoned racial equity facilitator, coach, and consultant with twenty years of experience, she guides White people to transform into healthy antiracist change agents. She also co-facilitates interracially to help organizations to build cross-racial equity transformation into leadership. She can be found at christinesaxman.com. Follow Christine online: Website: BeingWhiteToday. com LinkedIn: Christine Saxman X/Twitter: ⁠@BeingWhiteToday⁠ Instagram: Being White Today  Episode Mentions: bell hooks Shelly Tochluk Being White Today: A Roadmap for a Positive Antiracist Life White Privilege Conference SEED SURJ White Rage by Carol Anderson Ismalis Nunez NPR’s Life Kit You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: James Boutin Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, community leader Ben McBride shares his journey from experiencing both love and othering in his San Francisco upbringing to becoming a bridge-builder between divided communities. Drawing on his work with law enforcement, community violence intervention, and diverse faith communities, McBride offers a compelling vision for moving beyond political polarization through radical belonging. He explores how practicing self-compassion and genuine curiosity about those different from us can transform societal divisions, while offering practical wisdom for building bridges in our own communities. Join us for this timely conversation about choosing connection over division and co-creating a world where everyone belongs. Episode Transcript Ben McBride is a visionary leader of radical belonging. He is the Co-Founder of Empower Initiative, a leadership development firm that fosters belonging through immersive learning. Through his dedicated work as an internationally recognized peacemaker, faith leader, activist, and sought-after speaker, Ben uniquely develops strong leaders and builds dynamic cultures of empathy, allyship, and belonging. Follow Ben McBride online: Website: https://fosteringbelonging.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjmcbride/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialbenmcbride/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjmcbride Episode Mentions: john a. powell Jennifer Eberhardt and her book, Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See, Think, and Do Valerie Kaur and her book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love Empower Initiative The Othering and Belongining Institute Eyes on the Prize Documentary Series I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King Jr You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, cultural geographer and storyteller Carolyn Finney illuminates the intricate relationship between race, nature, and belonging. Drawing from her journey from actor to environmental justice advocate, Finney explores how storytelling can bridge divides and create more inclusive understandings of nature. She challenges conventional narratives about outdoor spaces, emphasizing that nature exists beyond recreation and resource extraction. Through personal insights and scholarly wisdom, Finney demonstrates how vulnerability and authentic dialogue can transform our approach to environmental justice. Join us as we explore what it means to build Beloved Community—one that embraces all people and the natural world that surrounds us. Episode Transcript Carolyn Finney, PhD, is a cultural geographer, storyteller, and author focused on identity, difference, and environmental issues. Her work challenges representation in media and environmental organizations, exploring how privilege shapes environmental discourse. With a background in acting and extensive travel, Finney's unique perspective blends artistic and academic approaches. She's a Fulbright Scholar, former U.S. National Parks Advisory Board member, and author of "Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship between African Americans and the Great Outdoors." Finney's expertise spans media appearances, writing for major publications, and teaching at prestigious institutions - she is currently a scholar/artist-in-residence at Middlebury College. Currently working on a new book and performance piece, she continues to bridge gaps between race, land, and belonging in the United States. Follow Carolyn online: Website Instagram LinkedIn X / Twitter Episode mentions: Alice Randall and "The Wind Done Gone”  Anna Deavere Smith and "Twilight Los Angeles" Bryan Stevenson Cornel West Carl Sagan James Baldwin and Margaret Mead and "Rap on Race" John Muir You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we explore the transformative power of anti-racism work with Rainbow Markell, an educator whose journey spans decades of early childhood education and diversity training. From awkward fourth-grade moments to profound realizations about intergenerational trauma, Rainbow shares candid insights that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe tear up. She offers practical strategies for cultivating inclusivity, emphasizing self-compassion, curiosity, and the power of saying "yes" to growth. Join us for a heartwarming conversation that invites us to examine our biases, embrace vulnerability, and recognize our shared humanity. Discover how small actions—even a simple smile—can create ripples of change in ourselves and our communities. Transcript coming soon! As a facilitator, Rainbow Markell has worked with thousands of people in communication, anti-racism, DEIB, and trauma-informed care. Most of those people have been under the age of 5! As an Early Care and Education provider, Rainbow learned to implement Active Listening and the importance of social-emotional health for the children, and finds work with adults is surprisingly similar. As a white womon, Rainbow believes in saying yes to any opportunity that comes her way to be anti-racist, to unlearn bias, show compassion and make a difference in the world. It has only been recently that she has applied these concepts to herself. Follow Rainbow online: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Episode Mentions:  Embrace RaceJulie Kurtz and The Center for Optimal Brain IntegrationThe National Coalition Building InstituteLee Mun Wah and StirFry Resmaa Menakem Tema Okun You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this thought-provoking episode of Fierce Compassion, we are joined by Tiokasin Ghosthorse, a member of the Itazipcola and Mnicoujou Lakota of the Sakowin Oyate and the founder of First Voices Radio. Ghosthorse challenges our understanding of language, activism, and our relationship with the Earth, offering insights into Indigenous perspectives that transcend conventional Western thinking. He explores the concept of being "Earth Activators," rather than activists, emphasizing the need to shift from anthropocentric views to a more holistic, relational way of being. Ghosthorse's unique blend of traditional knowledge and contemporary insight invites listeners to reconsider their connection to the planet and each other, inspiring a deeper, more intuitive approach to compassion and environmental stewardship. Transcript Tiokasin Ghosthorse is a member of the Itazipcola and Mnicoujou Lakota of the Sakowin Oyate and draws upon the language, history, culture, philosophy, and traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere.  A survivor of the “Reign of Terror” from 1972 to 1976 on the Lakota Reservations in South Dakota and the US Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding and Church Missionary School systems designed to “kill the Indian and save the man,” Tiokasin has a long history of Indigenous activism and advocacy. He spoke as a 15-year-old at the United Nations - Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Tiokasin was a 2016 Nominee for a Nobel Peace Prize from the International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy. Tiokasin is the Founder, Host, and Executive Producer of First Voices Radio syndicated to over 120 public, community, and commercial radio stations in the US and Canada. Additionally, he is a master musician known for performing worldwide in over 50 countries. Tiokasin is also a co-author of the forthcoming Earth Mind and published Butterfly Against the Wind. He describes himself as “a perfectly flawed human being” and is most importantly, a Sundancer in the cosmology of the Lakota Nation. Follow Tiokasin online: Akantu Intelligence First Voices Radio Facebook Instagram Twitter/X LinkedIn Patreon You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this powerful episode of Fierce Compassion, we sit down with acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith to explore the transformative power of storytelling in healing intergenerational trauma and fostering reconciliation. Smith shares insights from her diverse body of work, from children's books to young adult non-fiction, highlighting how stories can bridge cultural divides and nurture empathy. She discusses the importance of self-compassion and the role of community in resilience. Smith also offers a poignant reflection on the impact of residential schools and other harmful policies on Indigenous communities, while emphasizing the strength and joy that persist. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the vital role of Indigenous voices in shaping a more compassionate future. Transcript Monique Gray Smith, an award-winning Indigenous author and speaker of Cree and Scottish heritage, weaves wisdom from her diverse lineages into stories that bridge cultures and generations. Her acclaimed works include "Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation," "Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience," and beloved picture books "My Heart Fills With Happiness" and "You Hold Me Up." Through masterful storytelling, Smith illuminates paths toward reconciliation, healing, and cultural understanding. A respected voice in Indigenous literature, she dedicates her work to strengthening relationships between communities while nurturing young Indigenous readers. Her writing celebrates resilience, connection, and the transformative power of hope. Follow Monique online: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter/X YouTube Episode Mentions: Danielle Daniel Gabrielle Grimard Julie Flett Nicole Neidhardt Phyllis (Jack) Webstad  Orca Book Publishers House of Anansi Press Future Four Nations Friendship Centre You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, author and somatics trainer Staci Haines illuminates how our bodies hold both personal and societal trauma, and how somatic practices can transform our relationship to change-making. Through exploring core human needs for safety, belonging, and dignity, Haines reveals how polarization and political trauma live in our bodies – and how we can work with these embodied experiences to build authentic power and connection. Drawing on decades of experience in transformative justice and movement building, she offers practical wisdom for cultivating ourselves while fostering the conditions for true Beloved Community, even in times of deep division. Join us for this timely conversation about healing, action, and hope. Episode Transcript Staci Haines has been experimenting at the intersections of personal and social transformation for the last 30 years through the work of somatics, trauma healing, embodied leadership, and transformative justice. Staci is an innovator in the field of Somatics, focusing on how it can bring transformative capacity to social and climate justice movements and help heal the impacts of trauma and oppression. She runs online and in-person programs and teacher trainings, and partners with social and climate justice organizations. Follow Staci online: Website Instagram Linkedin Facebook Politics of Trauma and Healing Sex The Politics of Trauma 2.0 Soma SJ Episode Mentions People: Adrienne Maree Brown Prentis Hemphill Organizations: Embodiment Institute Generation FIVE National Domestic Workers Alliance Working Families Party We're excited to be offering a limited number of live, one-on-one coaching sessions which will be shared on a special episode of the podcast. Follow this link to find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/FCCoachingCallApplication You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we explore the intersection of climate change, reproductive choices, and racial justice with Dr. Jade Sasser. Drawing on her research for Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question, Dr. Sasser illuminates how feelings about the climate disproportionately affect communities of color and impact decisions about having children. She challenges dominant narratives around population and climate change, offering a nuanced perspective on environmental racism and climate justice. Dr. Sasser emphasizes the importance of culturally competent mental health support and local climate action. Join us for an eye-opening conversation that reframes climate anxiety through an intersectional lens and explores pathways toward a more equitable, sustainable future. [Transcript] Dr. Jade S. Sasser is Associate Professor in the Department of Gender & Sexuality Studies at the University of California, Riverside. She received her PhD in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from the University of California, Berkeley. Her work explores how environmental problems such as climate change and toxic exposures intersect with reproductive bodies, health, and rights. Her first book, On Infertile Ground: Population Control and Women’s Rights in the Era of Climate Change, was published in 2018 by NYU Press and won the Emory Elliott book award. Her new book, Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question: Deciding Whether to Have Children in an Uncertain Future (2024), builds on 3 years of research to analyze the relationship between climate emotions, social inequality, and reproductive anxiety in the U.S. She also has a podcast with the same name. In her free time, Jade is a DJ at a local radio station. Follow Jade online: Jade Sasser Ph.D LinkedIn Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question podcast Episode Mentions: Britt Wray, PhD Momnibus Act Redlands CA Climate Action Plan Soka Gakkai Yale Center for Climate Communication You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we delve into the transformative power of nonviolence with Kit Miller, Director Emeritus of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Miller shares insights from her new book, "Culture Shift: Nonviolence at Work," exploring how principled nonviolence and restorative practices can address systemic racism and foster Beloved Community. Drawing on her experiences leading diverse teams and creating innovative youth programs, Miller illuminates the interconnections between self-compassion, imperfection, and social change. Join us for an inspiring conversation that reframes nonviolence as essential medicine for our violence-sick world and offers practical wisdom for cultivating compassion in our daily lives and institutions. Also, we are offering a limited number of live, one-on-one coaching sessions which will be shared on a special episode of the podcast. Follow this link to find out more and apply: https://forms.gle/4PqSPcJ74rLjzsUX8 Episode Transcript Kit Miller is director emerita of the M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, serving in that role 2009–2021. The work and reach of the Institute expanded greatly under her stewardship. Prior to the Institute, she worked as director/celebrator of Bay Area Nonviolent Communication in Oakland, California. Currently, Kit serves as a facilitator and educator for a variety of organizations, mainly in education, healthcare, and NGOs. Much of that time is dedicated to conflict work within teams. Follow Kit online: Kit's website ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Culture Shift: Nonviolence at Work Episode Mentions People:Mahatma GandhiMartin Luther King Jr.Bacha KhanTema OkunBernard LafayetteTushar GandhiArun GandhiHoward ThurmanDominic BarterHeather McGheeRivera Sun Books and Resources“Culture Shift: Nonviolence at Work” by Kit Miller“Legacy of Love” by Arun Gandhi“The Gift of Anger” by Arun Gandhi“Jesus and the Disinherited” by Howard Thurman“The Sum of Us” by Heather McGhee Organizations:M.K. Gandhi Institute for NonviolenceBay Area Nonviolent CommunicationCenter for Nonviolent CommunicationNonviolence NewsPace e Bene You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠ and ⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/ Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

Welcome to Season 3 of Fierce Compassion! To kick off the season, we look back on the year since publishing our book, "The Antiracist Heart," and share what we’ve been thinking and learning around navigating shame, owning our power, and healing the wounds within us and between us. We offer insights on the importance of nourishing ourselves through self-care and inner work, and explore our evolving understanding of what it means to nurture Beloved Community. This conversation offered us a space of connection, reflection, and delight, and we hope it feeds your inspiration to care for yourself, connect with others, and take meaningful action, no matter how small, towards creating a more just and compassionate world.  We will be offering a limited number of live, one-on-one coaching sessions which will be shared on a special episode of the podcast. Follow this link to find out more and apply: https://forms.gle/4PqSPcJ74rLjzsUX8 Thank you for joining us as we launch our third season of diverse voices and transformative ideas around the meaning and practice of fierce compassion! Episode Transcript Roxy Manning, PhD is a clinical psychologist and certified Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) trainer. She brings decades of service experience to her work interrupting explicitly and implicitly oppressive attitudes and cultural norms. Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to awaken and sustain self-compassion, particularly in the face of such difficult issues like self-condemnation, self-disgust and self-sabotage. Follow Roxy online: Roxy’s website LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Follow Sarah online: Sarah’s website X / Twitter Instagram YouTube You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we discuss growing infrastructure in Indigenous communities with Forest James, an entrepreneur, artist, developer, and enrolled citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation. James explores how his diverse experiences in the arts, technology, and business shape his unique approach to bridging Indigenous and Western practices. He emphasizes the critical role of cultural understanding, self-compassion, and mentorship in creating sustainable solutions for Native peoples. Bringing an Indigenous lens to Beloved Community, James highlights the importance of inclusive decision-making and cross-cultural dialogue in fostering both economic development and cultural preservation. Join us! Forest James is a highly skilled individual with a lifelong affinity for artistic thinking. With a diverse and extensive secular background, James has cultivated expertise across various domains. James has dedicated over 20 years to the film and entertainment industry, honing creative abilities and fostering a deep understanding of the sector. An enrolled citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, James has actively engaged with hundreds of different tribal governments and tribal businesses, amassing valuable insights, knowledge, and a wealth of experience in planning, funding, and constructing infrastructure projects that cater to the needs of Native and Rural America. He excels in mediating between federal and state agencies, tribal governments, and tribal businesses, providing invaluable assistance in planning, funding, and executing projects aimed at promoting economic diversity within tribal communities. In recent years, James has represented a consortium of native and woman-owned companies, working towards the stabilization of intergovernmental infrastructure projects. Transcript: https://antiracistconversations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fierce-Compassion-Episode-24-Transcript-Growing-Indigenous-Infrastructure-with-Forest-James.pdf Follow Forest online EnerTribe https://www.enertribe.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EnerTribe Instagram https://www.instagram.com/enertribe?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/forestjames/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@enertribe You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we delve into the fierce vulnerability of Beloved Community with nonviolence and restorative justice practitioner Kazu Haga. Drawing on stories of transformation and reconciliation, Haga demonstrates our human capacity to transmute even the deepest harms through fierce vulnerability. Together we explore the fractal relationship between personal and systemic change, and how a stance of curiosity, compassion, and commitment to Beloved Community can sustain us and help us find our place in a diverse ecosystem of social transformation. Join us in this rich conversation as we discover how unhealed trauma impacts our world and how each of us can find our place in the work of individual and collective healing. Transcript: https://antiracistconversations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Episode-23-The-Fierce-Vulnerability-of-Beloved-Community-with-Kazu-Haga.pdf Kazu Haga is a trainer and practitioner of nonviolence and restorative justice, a core member of Building Belonging, The Ahimsa Collective and the Fierce Vulnerability Network, and the author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm. He works with incarcerated people, youth, and activists from around the country. He has over 20 years of experience in nonviolence and social change work, and has been an active trainer since 2000. He is a resident of the Canticle Farm community on Lisjan Ohlone land, Oakland, CA. Follow Kazu online Kazu's website http://www.kazuhaga.com Facebook http://facebook.com/kazuhaga Mentioned in the episode: Organizations Yes! https://yesworld.org/ The Ahimsa Collective https://www.ahimsacollective.net/ People Josiah Royce https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Royce Mariame Kaba https://mariamekaba.com/ Lilla Watson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilla_Watson Chris Moore-Backman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31395124-the-gandhian-iceberg Reverend Nadia Bolz-Weber https://nadiabolzweber.com/ Sonya Shah https://www.ahimsacollective.net/s Shilpa Jain https://yesworld.org/event-organizer/shilpa-jain/ You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion we delve into the nuances of mindful travel and finding compassion in discomfort with speaker, author, educator, and racial equity consultant Dr. Anu Taranath. Dr. Anu offers insights into navigating discomfort and embracing empathy across borders. Her experiences and stories challenge us to reflect on our roles in a complex world, fostering deeper connections and understanding. Join us in this enriching exploration of how mindfulness in travel and journeys of discomfort can lead to greater compassion, awareness, and connection to ourselves, each other and the world. Transcript: https://antiracistconversations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fierce-Compassion-Episode-22-Transcript-Mindful-Travel-and-the-Compassion-of-Discomfort-with-Dr-Anu-Taranath.pdf Dr. Anu Taranath brings both passion and expertise as a speaker, author, educator, and racial equity consultant. In all her work, she partners with a range of people to deepen conversations on history, harm and healing. A University of Washington Seattle professor for the past 23 years, Dr. Anu knows that the most compelling conversations on race, identity, power, and belonging take place when people feel valued and heard. She has received the Seattle Weekly’s “Best of Seattle” recognition, the University's Distinguished Teaching Award, and multiple US Fulbright Fellowships to work abroad. As a consultant she has partnered with over 300 clients from National Geographic Society to the Raging Grannies. Her book "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World" was named a Washington State Book Award Finalist, Newsweek's Future of Travel Winner in Storytelling, and included in Oprah Magazine’s “Best 26 Travel Books of All Times.” Follow Dr. Anu online: Dialogues for Justice: http://www.anutaranath.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.anutaranath/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anu-taranath123/ AFAR magazine Unpacked: https://www.afar.com/authors/anu-taranath You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at https://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast/ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we discuss threats to libraries and the liberative power of books with Gavin Downing, a dedicated educator and librarian. Downing is an inspired advocate for the capacity of books to offer inspiration and accompaniment to young people, especially those with marginalized identities. In this conversation, Downing shares his experience fighting book bans, emphasizing the critical need for intellectual freedom and diverse representation in school libraries. Join us as we learn how Downing has used tools of nonviolence and advocacy to ensure that every student can receive the gifts of affirmation, delight, and dignity found in books. Gavin Downing has been in education over 17 years, and a teacher-librarian for over 10. He successfully stopped an attempt to ban books in his school library in 2022, and has been recognized by both the Washington Library Association and the Washington Education Association for his work. Here's the episode transcript: https://antiracistconversations.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fierce-Compassion-Episode-21-Transcript-Libraries-Under-Threat-with-Gavin-Downing1.pdf Mentioned in the episode: Gavin’s Book Challenge response https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jFtxm3IXaAR6KD7JsdLR8g3Lbkb4KFna/view Organizations GLSEN https://www.glsen.org/about-us Federal Way Education Association http://www.federalwayea.org/ Articles Kent middle school librarian wins intellectual freedom award, Seattle Times https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/kent-middle-school-librarian-wins-intellectual-freedom-award/ LGBTQ+ Books Quietly Pulled From Washington State Middle School, Book Riot https://bookriot.com/lgbtq-books-quietly-pulled-from-washington-state-middle-school/ Books Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) by Lev AC Rosen https://www.levacrosen.com/jack-of-hearts Are you there God, It’s me Margaret by Judy Blume https://judyblume.com/judy-blume-books/middle-books/middle-margaret/ If I was Your Girl by Meredith Russo https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/26156987 All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson https://iamgmjohnson.com/book-2/ Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Gender-Queer-A-Memoir/Maia-Kobabe/9781549304002 You can find transcripts and more episodes of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Darlene Hall, a distinguished psychologist, consultant, educator, athlete, and author of Youth Development Theory & Practice: Integrating a Trauma Framework - A Social Justice Approach. Dr. Hall delves into her personal and professional journey, exploring the multifaceted role of self-compassion in dismantling systemic oppression. Together, we'll uncover effective strategies for transforming trauma and advocating social justice through compassionate action. Join us! Dr. Hall, a Black lesbian Psychologist with strong social justice values, has provided mental health services for almost 30 years in multiple settings. She has taught at the graduate level; created an internship program for Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work students; and worked as a grantmaker in philanthropy. Currently, she has a private psychotherapy practice and consulting business. ⁠Episode transcript⁠ Follow Dr. Hall online: Intersections Consulting LinkedIn Mentioned in this episode: Athlete Ally Black Girls Run Black Marathoners Front Runners Gay Games NCAA Inclusion Forum North American Gay Volleyball Association Oakland Running Festival Sin CIty Classic Team San Francisco Women's Sports Foundation You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠ Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we explore the intricate relationship between spontaneity and anti-oppression with psychotherapist, author, and educator, Dr. Leticia Nieto. We learn how Dr. Nieto’s work with psychodrama has helped cultivate a deep understanding of the role of spontaneity in breaking down entrenched social patterns and contributing to anti-oppression practices. Dr. Nieto shares a richly nuanced picture of the dynamics of power and privilege, and we are delighted to soak up and share her insights with you on fostering an environment of genuine, compassionate change. Join us! Dr. Leticia Nieto was born in Puebla, Mexico, and moved to the US in 1978. She began working in social justice action with people who experienced incarceration, addiction, and displacement.  Her focus was anti-racism, economic, immigrant, and disability justice. Leticia holds degrees in theatre, human development, and clinical psychology. For 33 years she worked as a professor with Masters and Doctoral students using an intersectional model she developed to train counselors and leaders in anti-oppression theory and reflective practice. Her content incorporates gender justice, indigenous self-determination, children and elder rights, and queer justice.  She now works primarily using action methods (psychodrama and expressive arts) and maintains a counseling practice. Follow Leticia at https://beyondinclusionbeyondempowerment.com You can find transcripts and more episodes of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

On this episode of Fierce Compassion, we welcome Lillian Hsu, a school designer, teacher, coach and education innovator. Hsu shares her insights on integrating empathy into the foundations of educational methodologies and the profound impacts this can have on students’ engagement and sense of belonging. We’re offered a unique perspective on how compassion and community-focused learning can nurture future leaders with empathy, passion, and commitment to the common good. Join us for an enlightening conversation at the forefront of education’s evolution, bringing together classrooms and communities. Lillian Hsu’s work is rooted in the belief that all students are capable of incredible things when given the right opportunity and support. Hsu was recently honored with a Jefferson Award for her work co-founding and leading Latitude High School in Oakland. Hsu has worked in a variety of educational settings, including Teacher Magazine, Sesame Street, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has provided coaching to principals through Stanford d school’s School Retool program and Educate78’s School Design Lab. Hsu was a founding teacher at Oakland Unity High School and was a pioneer School Leadership Resident at High Tech High, where she earned her M.Ed. in School Leadership. As Director of High Tech High Chula Vista, Hsu advocated for projects with authentic community connections, such as students designing and building affordable live-work units and reviewing legal cases for the California Innocence Project. As a Deeper Learning Equity Fellow with Big Picture Learning, Hsu documented efforts to bring project-based learning to SDCOE’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools. Follow Lillian: - Latitude High School - LinkedIn - Facebook - Instagram You can find transcripts and more episodes of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this Fierce Compassion episode, we explore connections between nonviolence, decolonization, and intergenerational healing with Meenadchi, a somatic healing practitioner, communications expert, and author. We delve into Meenadchi's work, Decolonizing Nonviolent Communication (DNVC), and discover the ways her heritage has shaped her approach to healing intergenerational trauma and promoting authentic communication. The episode highlights the integration of Family Constellations with DNVC, and emphasizes the importance of connection to the body and self-compassion in healing and transformative communication. Meenadchi is a somatic healing practitioner, TEDx speaker, and communications expert whose work centers social change and embodied transformation. Using a blend of Family Constellation Therapy and Nonviolent Communication, Meenadchi supports inquisitive individuals and entrepreneurial changemakers in reconnecting with the intuitive wisdom of our bodies so that we can co-create intergenerational healing by changing the way we speak to ourselves, each other, and the universe. Meenadchi holds a clinical license in occupational therapy and has historically served communities impacted by gender-based violence, complex trauma, and serious mental illness. She is the author of Decolonizing Non-Violent Communication (2019).  You can find transcripts and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we're joined by Rajkumari Neogy, an expert in using neurobiology and empathy to cultivate inclusion, safety, and community in the workplace. Neogy discusses the vital role of self-compassion and authentic self-expression in the corporate world. Together we explore the profound impact of epigenetics on executive functioning and the importance of inclusivity for creating anti-racist and liberatory environments. Neogy's innovative approach to inclusion, safety, and community in the workplace illuminates the path to a more connected, creative, and effective leadership paradigm. Join us to understand how embracing our full selves fosters a more compassionate and inclusive corporate culture. Rajkumari Neogy (she/he) is the CEO of ibelong, a platform offering on-demand resources for workplaces dedicated to building inclusive and resonant cultures. With more than two decades of experience as an epigenetic coach and executive consultant focusing on the intersection of neurobiology, culture and empathy, Neogy combines a rare blend of scientific prowess and emotion to reimagine leadership. Specializing in the technology sector, Neogy has worked with high-powered organizations throughout the world, training leaders at Google, Facebook, Adobe, Indeed, Slack, Salesforce and more. Neogy holds a master’s degree in transformative leadership from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and is the author of “The WIT Factor: Shifting the Workplace Paradigm by Becoming Your Optimal Self.” Neogy is based in San Francisco and enjoys cooking, venturing to three-star Michelin restaurants and attending the opera and symphony. You can find transcripts and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Podcast Manager: Lily Huang Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this Fierce Compassion episode, we welcome Kobe Skolnick and Aziz Abu Sarah, friends and colleagues from Israel and Palestine, discussing their journeys from radicalization in youth to embracing peace. They share their personal experiences and transformations, touching on topics like self-compassion, storytelling, and understanding the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their work highlights the role of personal narratives and empathy in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, through education, dialogue, and promoting mutual understanding. Kobi Skolnick specializes in leadership development, crisis management, and organizational change. Fueled by a passion for creative problem-solving and unlocking human potential, he equips businesses, governments, and organizations to tackle complex challenges. Skolnick’s expertise includes building strong teams and capable leaders who navigate obstacles and advocate for social change, peacebuilding, and transformational change through empathy, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Aziz Abu Sarah is an author, cultural educator, entrepreneur, and peacebuilder. He is the co-founder of MEJDI TOURS and InterAct International 501c3 nonprofit. He is a Nat Geo and Ted Fellow. His latest book is Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler’s Guide to World Peace (2020). Sarah has worked in over 60 countries, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Syria, and the Balkans. He has served as Executive Director at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Sarah won the Intercultural Innovation Award from the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group.  You can find transcripts and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠roxannemanning.com⁠ and ⁠sarahpeyton.com⁠. Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this Fierce Compassion episode, we welcome Jennifer Esteen, a nurse, mom, and community activist. Esteen shares her journey from New Orleans to California and how it shaped her into a powerful advocate for working families. We learn how self compassion and empathy informed and motivated her transition from healthcare to political candidacy. Join us to discover Esteen’s deep commitment to advocacy for safe, healthy communities and compassionate government as she reflects on her personal and professional challenges, triumphs, and her inspiring approach to service. Jennifer Esteen is a registered nurse, mother, and community leader who previously served as Vice President of the Alameda Health System Board of Trustees and is currently a member of the Eden Municipal Advisory Council. She has spent her career delivering care to the most vulnerable, first working as a psychiatric nurse in the San Francisco General Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Room, where she saw firsthand the vicious cycle that people experience from diminished funding for mental health care. After Esteen successfully led the fight to preserve funding for permanent housing for her clients, she was appointed to the role of Vice President of Organizing for SEIU 1021. Esteen continues to work with San Francisco residents who have severe mental illness and need supportive housing and help managing activities of daily living. Esteen is running for Alameda County Supervisor because she wants to deliver for her community. She is a champion for working families who advocates for policies that ensure her community has access to affordable housing, preventative healthcare, jobs that pay a living wage, and the justice we all deserve. You can find transcripts and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at roxannemanning.com and sarahpeyton.com. Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! Podcast Manager: Lily HuangAudio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we talk with Mary-Frances Winters, founder and CEO of The Winters Group and author of seven books on antiracism, diversity, and inclusion. During our conversation, Winters shares her journey of self discovery with us: one that spans over 40 years of diversity and inclusion work within organizations and corporations across America. Despite her seniority in the field, Winters repeatedly directs us to the wisdom and learnings brought to her by her younger staff members, and invites us into the elements of white supremacy culture that she, as a member of the Baby Boomer generation, continues to unlearn. Winters discusses the difference between kindness and toxic niceness, and how centering niceness in our relationships can actually impede equity work. Together, we talk about strategies for inviting curiosity and openness within people who hold dominant culture identities, and the magical work that the question "How would you know?" can do when trying to call someone back in. Join us for an episode brimming with deep self-reflective questions, a report-back on how things are faring in the Diversity & Inclusion field, and practical steps for prioritizing Beloved Community in your workplace and relationships.  Mary-Frances Winters is the founder and CEO of The Winters Group, Inc., a 39-year-old global organization development and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice consulting firm, who truly believes that diversity and inclusion work is her “passion and calling.” Named a thought leader in the field, for the past three decades she has impacted over hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals with her thought provoking message, and her approach to diversity and inclusion. Ms. Winters is a master strategist with experience in strategic planning, change management, diversity, organization development, training and facilitation, systems thinking and qualitative and quantitative research methods. She is the author of seven books on antiracist conversations and on the impact of racism, including the books Black Exhaustion and We Can’t Talk about That at Work! You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

In our twelfth episode, we talk with Dr. Báyò Akómolàfè, the widely celebrated international speaker, posthumanist philosopher, and author who, despite all his accolades, defines himself primarily as a father and husband. A Yoruban public intellectual known for his intricate narratives on identity, change, and interdependence, Dr. Akómolàfè challenges us to explore how western conceptions of the "self" reinforce our separation from the flows and fields of life. It is by continuing to live in the field of this disconnection, he argues, that we continue to repeat the crises that we attempt to solve. Dr. Akómolàfè offers us poetry, imagination, history, and heart as we discuss compassion as the space of hyphenation, capitalism as a sensorium, and whiteness as a web of world-making intensities. Together, we attend to the wonderings at the root of Dr. Akómolàfè’s politics: what is the world opening up space for? And how can we gather there together? Dr. Akómolàfè ultimately proposes that staying with the cracks--the openings, the places that we fail--can be our portal into different ways of being in the world. Join us for a beautiful and challenging conversation that might just radically shift your relationship to the ways in which we are in relation. Dr. Báyò Akómolàfè, rooted with the Yoruba people in a more-than-human world, is the father to Alethea and Kyah, the grateful life-partner to Ije, son and brother. A widely celebrated international speaker, posthumanist thinker, poet, teacher, public intellectual, essayist, and author of two books, These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to My Daughter on Humanity’s Search for Home (North Atlantic Books) and We Will Tell our Own Story: The Lions of Africa Speak, Dr. Akómolàfè is the Founder of The Emergence Network and host of the postactivist course/festival/event, ‘We Will Dance with Mountains’. He currently lectures at Pacifica Graduate Institute, California. He sits on the Board of many organizations including Science and Non-Duality (US) and Ancient Futures (Australia). In July 2022, Dr. Akómolàfè was appointed the inaugural Global Senior Fellow of University of California’s (Berkeley) Othering and Belonging Institute. He has also been appointed Fellow for The New Institute in Hamburg, Germany, and Visiting Critic-in-Residence for the Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles (2023). He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and has been Commencement Speaker in two universities convocation events. He is also the recipient of the New Thought Leadership Award 2021 and the Excellence in Ethnocultural Psychotherapy Award by the African Mental Health Summit 2022. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

In our eleventh episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Rosa García, a Chicana educator and activist passionately dedicated to social justice and educational equity. García, the Executive Director of the Community Learning Partnership and the California Youth Leadership Corps, joins us to share her life story, starting from her roots in a large, working-class Mexican immigrant family in East Los Angeles. García  talks about how her parents' ethos of care, community, and support, despite limited resources, shaped her worldview and commitment to advocacy. García  delves into her path to becoming an influential figure in community college education and advocacy, highlighting her experiences with systemic barriers like racism and sexism. She reflects on her roles in various capacities, from college admissions advocating for students of color to working in Congress, and how these experiences fueled her drive for creating equitable educational opportunities. We discuss her innovative work in building cohort-based models for community college students, fostering a beloved community of support and empowerment, particularly for marginalized and first-generation students. As we navigate through García’s journey, she emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, mentorship, and the empowerment of young leaders. Join us to hear about Dr. García’s relentless pursuit of social change, her advocacy for immigrant rights, language justice, and her vision for a more inclusive, equitable educational landscape. This episode is a testament to the power of passion and the impact of nurturing community-based leadership in the fight against systemic inequality. Rosa M. García, Ed.D., is a prominent figure in the field of education and social justice. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC) and the Community Learning Partnership (CLP), where she plays a pivotal role in collaborating with public institutions, nonprofits, social justice organizations, and community partners. Her work focuses on promoting an equitable and inclusive democracy in California and nationwide, primarily by expanding innovative community change career pathways for historically marginalized college students, turning them into community organizers, change agents, and local leaders. Previously, she was the Director of Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), a national anti-poverty policy organization, where she  advocated for equitable access to education for underrepresented groups. García has also held various roles in policy and higher education, including senior positions at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, HACU, and the Maryland State Board of Education. Her academic background includes degrees from Wesleyan University, Columbia University, UCLA, Baruch College, CUNY, and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. A committed advocate for education and social justice, García, a Los Angeles native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, has dedicated her career to empowering diverse communities. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends!

In our tenth episode, we talk with Jackson Lima, a Brazilian diplomat with a specialization in conflict coaching and resolution. Jackson talks with us about the concrete practices that make compassion and self-compassion possible: something he has a lot of personal experience with, given his experience growing up in the poorest majority Black region of Brazil, and becoming, at 38, a diplomat serving in communities around the world. The depths of Jackson's self-compassion are felt throughout the conversation, as we discuss the racial history of Brazil, the practices of Buddhism, expanding our cultural and personal understandings of success, and his experiences navigating our self-critical culture of excellence and over-achievement. Lima volunteers as a conflict coach, and he shares what his work with narrative conflict coaching looks like, and the ways he is able to support people in transformative deescalation even when both parties are not present. Join us to learn more about global efforts in antiracism and the role that self-compassion plays in those efforts.   Jackson Lima has been a diplomat for almost 15 years and holds a master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University, in Washington, D.C. He also acquired a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Brasília and a Master’s in Diplomacy from the Rio Branco Institute - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. He has a certificate degree in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies with an emphasis on emotional balance, from the Peace and Mind Institute, in partnership with the University of Innsbruck (Austria). He attended courses in negotiation and mediation at Harvard and MIT. He is currently the First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington DC. For 4 years, he served at the Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria, and for almost 4 years, he worked in the Brazilian mission in Zambia and was an advisor in the Department of Africa in Brazil. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at Roxannemanning.com and Sarahpeyton.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends!

In our ninth episode, we talk with Edwin Cleophas: a theologian, psychometrist, and antiracist activist from South Africa. Cleophas has a compelling story: once a gang member in South Africa, he is now an international advocate for social justice with four degrees in higher education. Cleophas speaks with passion and precision about the stakes of antiracism, reparations, his role as a disruptor, and the indescribable value of affinity spaces. He shares about his heartbreak over how South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation process did not address the immediate and long-term consequences of the horrific practices of apartheid, and speaks to what truly transformative accountability after harm could look like. Listen in to learn more about how global antiracist efforts are linked and how self-compassion makes those efforts possible. Edwin Cleophas is the Managing Director of The Social Justice Agency, where he passionately works to mitigate racial disparities and foster equity in South Africa. In this role, he collaborates with various organizations, including prestigious universities and civil society groups, showcasing his adept skills in partnership building. Edwin had a pivotal impact in his previous role as secretary general for Social Cohesion and Nation Building at the South Africa Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Grounded in his strong foundation in youth development, Edwin also founded Project No Limits, an after-school program in Kleinvlei, Eersterivier. With a solid educational background in Theology, Psychology, and Development Studies, and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University, Edwin’s unwavering dedication to social justice and youth development truly sets him apart as a leader and change-maker in his community and beyond. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

In our eighth episode, we talk with Carolyn Michelle Smith, an actor, creator, and mentor with Trinidadian roots who brings the importance of story to her acting and expression. During our conversation, we get to hear about what it's like to be a Black actor and creator, how to participate in the new post-network Hollywood, and the importance of the writer's strike. We also explore the importance of authentic self-expression and finding our own stories for creativity. Carolyn Michelle Smith is one of the readers for Roxy's audio book--and Roxy and Carolyn spend time in this episode getting to delight in how they met, and the powerful bond of their shared identity. Join us to celebrate lateral networking and the importance of community and mutual contribution. You can purchase and listen to the audiobook using Libro.fm, which supports independent bookstores, or on Audible. Carolyn Michelle Smith, a Juilliard-trained actress, has graced stages and screens, most recently with roles in "House of Cards," "Luke Cage," and "The Chi." Beyond her on-screen prowess, she's a dedicated mentor, significantly contributing to Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab and leading AspireHigher Coaching Services. As the entertainment landscape shifts, Carolyn Michelle Smith champions the intersection of artistry, empowerment, and antiracism, drawing from her rich Trinidadian heritage and her commitment to elevating diverse voices. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at Roxannemanning.com and Sarahpeyton.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app. leave a review, and share it with your friends!

In our seventh episode, we talk with Marx Cassity, a Two-Spirit Indigiqueer artist of Osage/Kaw heritage whose music is a fusion of electronic rock and Native nuances. Their newest work, 2Sacred, is their fourth musical album and releases next month on November 5th. During our conversation, Cassity discusses the inspiration and motivation for 2Sacred: decolonizing harmful narratives of Two-Spirit and queer peoples, and helping us remember that all human cultures have long histories of gender diversity. We talk about Cassity's work as a therapist for queer youth, and the role that Nonviolent Communication played in supporting their profound shift in consciousness away from self-hatred and towards self-compassion. Not to be missed, Cassity sings us their most recently released single, How Long, a beautiful and haunting song about queer resilience and radical belonging.  Marx Cassity, a Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer artist (Osage/Kaw), moves between worlds as a trauma-informed licensed marriage and family therapist, a composer of lyrical folk-rock transformations, and a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ Native American youth. Guided by spirit, ancestors, and on a mission to help people embrace their identity, Cassity is constantly exploring and evolving as an artist and a person. Influenced by family heritage and iconic artists like Bowie and Queen, Marx’s forthcoming album, 2Sacred, is both a testament to resilience and a call for self-acceptance. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

In our sixth episode, we talk with Philip Miller, an activist composer from South Africa, whose whole career has integrated social justice with collaborative music projects. His newest work, NKOLI: The Vogue-Opera, profiles the life and work of Simon Nkoli, a gay anti-apartheid activist who was instrumental in securing civil rights for the LGBTQ community in South Africa and other African countries. Miller shares about the influence his family and identity had on his development as an activist, and the importance of making connections across the many forms of racial superiority and oppression that operate in our society. As a white, Jewish, gay man, Miller describes how he collaborates with Black South African to amplify their voices and raise awareness about their experiences. Miller makes beautiful connections between musical resonance and emotional resonance, and describes how music can help us integrate the unworded enormity of systemic oppression.Philip Miller (b.1964) is a South African composer and sound artist. His work is influenced by a range of musical genres, from contemporary electronic music and minimalism to South African choral and instrumental music. His works and collaborations cross various media, from live stage performance and film to video and sound installations, and contemporary dance. Much of his work explores aural histories and testimonies found in both public and his own personal archives. He has composed over 80 scores for both the big and small screen which have earned prestigious awards and accolades, including an Emmy nomination for HBO’s "The Girl" and several other awards and nominations for best scores - like “The Book of Negroes" for CBC television, "The Bang Bang Club", the Emmy award-winning "Shot-Down", "Black Butterfly" and BBC’s "Seven –Up". You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannamanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

In our fifth episode, we talk with Zillah Eisenstein, an American political theorist and gender studies professor, about her life, her work, her activism, and her writing. Eisenstein's parents were members of the American communist party, and she shares about her experiences growing up as a child of the communist party during the Civil Rights movement, and how that has shaped her politics throughout her life. Eisenstein discusses the importance of being willing to risk in building collaborative activism and comradeship, and touches upon her ambivalence about the discourse around "white fragility" within white organizing spaces. Join us for this fascinating episode, as we explore how intersectionality (or "marbling", as Zillah prefers to refer to it) touches on every aspect of modern life, and how to practice hope as a strategy for effective resistance and change. Zillah Eisenstein is one of North America's most prolific anti-racist feminist writers and activists of her time. She is well recognized for her earlier activism and writing about the rape camps in Bosnia, breast cancer activism in Cuba, the impact of globalization on women workers across the globe, the racialized gender politics of affirmative action in the US, neo-liberal assaults against feminisms of all sorts and feminist struggles in the former Soviet Union, India, Turkey and Iran. Her books include Against Empire (2004), Sexual Decoys (2007), Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for Socialist Feminism, ed. (1978), The Radical Future of Liberal Feminism (1981), The Color of Gender (1994) and Hatreds, Racialized and Sexualized Conflicts in the 21st Century,(1996). Zillah Eisenstein teaches political theory and anti-racist feminisms in the Politics Department of Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends!

In our fourth episode, Roxy and Sarah are joined by author and DEI educator Shakil Choudhury. Together, they discuss the neuroscience of how systemic oppression impacts our brain, as well as concrete strategies to help us reduce bias in our communities. Shakil shares some of the powerful experiences that he has had on his antiracist education journey. His stories provide a window into the challenges and nuance of how we frame antiracist activism, and how we invite people to join us. Shakil Choudhury is an award-winning educator, consultant and author with over 25 years of experience in the field of racial justice, diversity and inclusion. He coaches executive teams and has worked with thousands of leaders across sectors in Canada and the United States to help improve their equity outcomes. Shakil also facilitates dialogue processes to resolve inter-group conflict, having led projects internationally as well as with organizations locally. He is the author of Deep Diversity: A Compassionate, Scientific Approach to Achieving Racial Justice. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends!

In this episode, Roxy and Sarah are joined by filmmaker, dreamer, and transformative educator, Dr. Shakti Butler. Shakti gets deep into the unifying power of love, spirituality, and dreams as inspirations and energizers for our creativity and our antiracism work. Together, we travel with Shakti into her early years growing up in Harlem, and learn how she was impacted by both family history and civil rights leaders advocating passionately for liberation. Shakti shares her creative process and makes profound connections between compassion, connection, community, and transformation. Shakti Butler, PhD, is a visionary, dreamer, filmmaker, transformative learning educator, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She is the President and Founder of World Trust Educational Service, Inc., a non-profit transformative educational organization. Rooted in love and justice, World Trust produces films, curricula, workshops, and programs that are catalysts for institutional, structural, and cultural change. Shakti is an inspirational speaker, facilitator, trainer, and lecturer who is sought after by schools, universities, public and private organizations, and faith-based institutions. Dr. Butler has produced five documentaries and served as the diversity consultant and advisor on the Oscar-winning Disney animated film, Zootopia, which focuses on challenging bias and systemic inequity. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Stay up to date with Sarah and Roxy's personal work at Sarahpeyton.com and Roxannemanning.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app, leave a review, and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

In this episode, Roxy and Sarah are joined by award-winning beatboxer and nonviolence high school educator, Mike Tinoco. Together, they discuss how Kingian Nonviolence provides a paradigm shifting roadmap for teachers in the classroom. Mike offers lesson plans, tips, and personal stories about embodying this holistic approach to compassion and delights us with a live performance of his award-winning beatboxing. Mike Tinoco is a high school educator and nonviolence teacher from San José. His work draws primarily from Kingian Nonviolence, Nonviolent Communication, and Aikido with the aim of strengthening interconnectedness, healing together, and fighting for collective liberation. He is committed to working alongside his students, educators, and everyday people in creating a world that demands justice, centers love, and holds room for everyone to be part of the Beloved Community. Mike is the author of Heart at the Center, a book that invites teachers to practice a pedagogy of nonviolence, which will be published in 2024. Mentioned: Outlaw Culture by bell hooks "Address Delivered at the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches" by Martin Luther King You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin. Original beatboxing by Mike Tinoco.

In our first episode, hosts Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton discuss the power of compassion in building an antiracist society. They share common struggles with self-compassion - including their own! Roxy and Sarah also touch on the role of unconscious contracts and unconscious bias as blocks to living our antiracist ideals, and explore the concept of Beloved Community. Roxy Manning, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and certified Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) trainer. She brings decades of service experience to her work interrupting explicitly and implicitly oppressive attitudes and cultural norms. Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to awaken and sustain self-compassion, particularly in the face of such difficult issues like self-condemnation, self-disgust and self-sabotage. You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "Fierce Compassion" at antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast. For more information about our Antiracist Conversations book series, visit antiracistconversations.com Like this podcast? Rate "Fierce Compassion" on this podcast app and share it with your friends! This episode was produced by hannah rubin.

Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton welcome you to the first season of their podcast, Fierce Compassion.