ChangeMaking Connections podcast

57:13

We discuss the deep value of Polyvagal Theory for showing us how social connection impacts mental health and overall wellbeing. We explore how to apply Polyvagal theory to intergenerational trauma of historically marginalized groups. Our guests discuss what ancient wisdom and collectivist cultures have long known about community support and regulation. This episode also includes practices for resourcing and supporting ourselves in challenging times. Guests Niloufer Merchant, Ed.D., L.P Dr. Niloufer Merchant is Professor Emeritus at St. Cloud State University and a Licensed Psychologist currently in private practice in Minneapolis, MN. Her areas of specialization include working with complex trauma with a focus on trauma related to racial/cultural issues. She is certified in EMDR and trained in several embodied practices. She has presented and published widely on multicultural counseling, cultural competencies, and group work. She has also held multiple leadership roles on local, state, and national levels including American Counseling Association. Throughout her career, Niloufer has advocated for creating safe spaces for people of color in schools, universities, and community settings promoting antiracism and systemic change. She has presented on the application of Polyvagal Theory (PVT) in understanding and healing racial trauma including a TEDx talk which connects the principles of PVT to cultural practices and ancient wisdom. Presently, she serves on the Editorial Team and is a Course Partner for the Polyvagal Institute. Devika Dibya Choudhuri I have over two decades of balancing academic and clinical experience; working clinically with individual and group clients on issues of sexuality, trauma, violence, acculturation, and grief as well as of training graduate students in Counseling on these issues. Using a primarily qualitative research lens, my scholarship and service has included looking at the experience of LGBTQIA collegians, BIPOC clients in counseling, historical and multigenerational trauma, gender and sexuality. Resources "From Intergenerational Trauma to Intergenerational Healing," Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart The Myth of Normal. Gabor Maté Historic Trauma Resilience Inventory, Dr. Devika Dibya Choudhuri and and Dr. Quentin Hunter, 2023. "Evaluation of the UNREST Questionannaire for Testing the Social Resistance Framework," Roni Factor, Ichiro Kawachi, and David R. Williams Other BIPOC+ Mental Health initiatives Call Blackline Helping the most-impacted folks HEARD We are deaf and disabled people who support deaf/disabled incarcerated people. Indigenous Circle of Wellness We envision a future where our communities flourish in holistic well-being. Indigenous Women Rising Committed to honoring Native & Indigenous People’s inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options. Latinx Therapists Action Network National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) Advancing healing justice by transforming mental health The Red Ma’at Collective Committed to creating spaces that promote healing, justice, and empowerment Transcript…

ChangeMaking Connections

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Fierce Vulnerability, Healing Trauma, and Collective Liberation with Kazu Haga 46:56

16 days ago46:56

46:56

In this episode, Kazu Haga shares how fierce vulnerability can guide social justice work as it supports the healing of both individual and collective traumas. Injustice, he notes, is a manifestation of trauma, which cannot be fully healed on individual levels. Instead, we need to work with the collective trauma of families, groups, cultures, and societies. This profound conversation feels so resonant in this cultural moment. Kazu reflects on how we can integrate more song, grief circles, and other rituals into social justice work so as to access the vulnerability that is inherently there and more deeply connect with one another. We can then work with the possibilities that emerge, which is both deeply insightful and hopeful. Guest Bio Kazu Haga is a trainer and practitioner of nonviolence and restorative justice, a core member of the Fierce Vulnerability Network, a founding core member of the Ahimsa Collective, a Jam facilitator and author of Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm as well as his new book, Fierce Vulnerability: Healing from Trauma, Emerging through Collapse . He works with incarcerated people, youth, and activists from around the country. He has over 25 years of experience in nonviolence and social change work. He is a resident of the Canticle Farm community on Lisjan Ohlone land, Oakland, CA, where he lives with his family. You can find out more about his work at www.kazuhaga.com. Transcript…

ChangeMaking Connections

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Becoming Dragons: Contemplative Practices for Transforming Toward Wholeness with Ericka Echavarria and Maria Hamilton Abegunde 55:10

5 weeks ago55:10

55:10

In this episode, we talk conjuring, contemplative emergence, and embodying justice. We explore the challenges of higher education and how contemplative practices can support us in remaining aligned with who we are and move us toward wholeness. This spacious episode also includes a practice, alongside laughter and inspiring reflections. Ericka Echavarria , JD LMSW, is a dedicated and experienced contemplative leader with a strong focus on building capacity and resilience in social justice workers. Her work centers on supporting transformative change within social justice workers, thereby promoting more mindful, embodied, and justice-focused service to reduce harm to vulnerable communities. Ericka Echavarria's Linked In Profile Maria Hamilton Abegunde – Abegunde – began studying and practicing Contemplative Practices over 40 years ago and continues to integrate them in her research, writing, teaching, and service to multiple communities. You may read her contemplative writings in the Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences, North Meridian Review, Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, ASHE: Ritual Poetics in African Diasporic Expression, and Black Joy Unbound. She is a Black Earth Institute, Cave Canem, Ragdale, and Sacatar Fellow. Abegunde is a faculty member in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University. About Maria Hamilton Abegunde Show Notes Contemplative Practices and Acts of Resistance in Higher Education: Narratives Toward Wholeness , Eds. Michelle C. Chatman, LeeRay Costa, and David W. Robinson-Morris. Flash of the Spirit: African and Afro-American Art and Philosophy, Robert Farris Thompson Transcript…

ChangeMaking Connections

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Coming Home to Our Wholeness: Practices for Justice in Higher Education with Michelle C. Chatman, David W. Robinson-Morris, and LeeRay Costa 58:06

7 weeks ago58:06

58:06

This deliciously spacious conversation with three Contemplative and Activist beings/scholars/practitioners explores how we can embody wholeness even in the troubled systems of higher education. Restore your spirit connecting with Michelle C. Chatman, David W. Robinson-Morris, and LeeRay Costa as they talk about their new anthology. Share stories of grounding, healing, and navigating the fraught culture in higher education. Hear how contemplative practices can help diverse communities reconnect, integrate, and reclaim our wholeness. Guest Bios Michelle C. Chatman is a cultural anthropologist, community ritualist, vocalist, educator, and contemplative practitioner. She is Associate Professor of Crime, Justice, and Security Studies at the University of the District of Columbia, where she also serves as Founding Director Mindfulness and Courageous Action (MICA) Lab which advances community-engaged research and training on culturally relevant mindfulness and contemplative approaches. She is committed to amplifying healing-centered approaches that enable us to create organizations, systems, and structures of justice, liberated learning, and equitable thriving. Website LeeRay Costa is a lifelong contemplative practitioner and has been actively integrating contemplative practices into her teaching, research and community work since 2012. Trained as a feminist cultural anthropologist, she is Executive Director of Leadership Studies and the Batten Leadership Institute, and Professor of Gender & Women’s Studies /Anthropology at Hollins University, and the Co-founder of Girls Rock Roanoke (a youth empowerment nonprofit). Her current interests include engaging spirituality, contemplative practices, and creative expression in the service of human flourishing, planetary healing, and transformative social change. LinkedIn David W. Robinson-Morris is a scholar, activist, author, philosopher, human rights advocate, educator, organizer, DEI practitioner, higher education administrator, and student of contemplative practices. At the writing, Robinson-Morris was appointed the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life at Dartmouth College. He is the the Founder of The REImaginelution, a strategic consultant firm working to engender freedom of the human spirit and catalyze the power of the imagination to reweave organizations, systems, and the world toward collective healing and liberation. David served as the final Executive Director in service to the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society (CMind). He is the author of a research monograph titled, Ubuntu and Buddhism in Higher Education: An Ontological (Re)Thinking (2019, Routledge). Websites: reimaginelution.com or centerforthehumanspirit.org Show Notes: Contemplative Practice and Acts of Resistance in Higher Education: Narratives Toward Wholeness, eds Michelle C. Chatman, David W. Robinson-Morris, and LeeRay Costa. Find out more about book and community events Tree of Contemplative Practices , Maia Duerr Scenes of Subjection: Terror, Slavery, and Self-making in Nineteenth-century America , Saidiya V. Hartman Transcript…

ChangeMaking Connections

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Radical Imagination & Practices for Collective Liberation with Hala Khouri and Tessa Hicks Peterson 38:20

9 weeks ago38:20

38:20

Hala Khouri and Tessa Hicks Peterson talk about the anthology they edited, Practicing Liberation: Transformative Strategies for Collective Healing and Liberation, Reflections on Burnout, Trauma, and Building Communities of Care in Social Justice work . We explore radical imagination, healing from trauma, and collective care in the work of individuals, communities, and organizations. Show Notes: Book website Emergent Strategy,: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds , adrienne maree brown Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination , Robin D. G. Kelley Tessa’s new book: Liberating the Classroom: Healing and Justice in Higher Education . Interview with Tessa about her new book on Against the Grain on Berkeley-based KPFA (Pacifica) Radio (broadcast worldwide via kpfa.or g and archived here ). Hala’s last book, Peace from Anxiety: Get Grounded, Build Resilience, and Stay Connected Amidst the Chaos . Guest Bios: Hala Khouri, M.A., SEP, E-RYT (she/her), is a sought-after speaker and trainer on the topic of trauma informed care, embodied social justice, trauma informed education and resilience. She has been teaching yoga and movement for over 25 years and has been doing clinical work and trainings for 15 years. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, Hala has dedicated her life to the study of trauma, justice and building resilience. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and an M.A. in Community Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Hala is also trained in Somatic Experiencing , a body-based psychotherapy that helps resolve trauma and its symptoms. Hala is a co-founder of Off the Mat, Into the World , a training organization that bridges yoga and activism within a social justice framework and an Adjunct Professor at Pitzer College. She leads Collective Resilience trauma informed yoga and somatics trainings nationally. Hala also trains direct service providers and educators to be trauma informed and culturally responsive. She leads a monthly, online membership program called Radical Wellbeing which supports people through embodied practices and community building. She is the author of Peace from Anxiety: Get Grounded, Build Resilience and Stay Connected Amidst the Chaos (Shambhala) and editor/ author of Practicing Liberation: Transformative Strategies for Collective Healing and Systems Change (North Atlantic Books, 2024) https://halakhouri.com/ Tessa Hicks Peterson is a scholar activist, teacher, facilitator, mother, wife, daughter, friend, dancer, and community-builder. She is the Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Urban Studies at Pitzer College. Her duties since she arrived at Pitzer in 2006 have included teaching and administration, including directing the Community Engagement Center (CEC), Critical Action + Social Advocacy (CASA), Office for Consortial Academic Collaboration (OCAC) and Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. From 1998-2005, Tessa worked with communities throughout Los Angeles on human relations and civil rights issues, ranging from the Associate Director at the Anti-Defamation League, Youth Programs Director at the National Conference for Community and Justice, and Health and Life Skills Director at the Boys and Girls Club. She has a Masters and PhD in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Psychology, Sociology and Spanish from UC Santa Cruz. Tessa teaches classes and facilitates trainings on issues ranging from anti-bias education and social justice to empowerment through movement, mindfulness, and art. Her scholarship centers on transformative movement organizing and healing justice, community-based education and research, social change theories and movements, decolonization and indigenous knowledge and prison education and abolition. Tessa spends most of her work advancing community-campus partnerships for social change and is a board member of Bringing Theory to Practice and Starting Over, Inc. Tessa is blessed to be firmly grounded in dance, community, and a beautiful family. Her ultimate work in the world is to engage with, teach about, learn from and better connect healing*arts*education*justice https://tessahickspeterson.com/…

ChangeMaking Connections

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Yuria Celidwen's Vision for Indigenous Ethics and Planetary Belonging 28:59

42 weeks ago28:59

28:59

In this heart-opening episode of ChangeMaking Connections, we immerse ourselves in the profound tapestry of indigenous wisdom with the remarkable Yuria Celidwen.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Rheanna Robinson on Reframing Disability Through Indigenous Perspectives 40:57

44 weeks ago40:57

40:57

With us is Rheanna Robinson, an associate professor in the Department of First Nation Studies and a relentless advocate for disabled members in the Indigenous community—a community that doesn't even distinguish "disability" in their language.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Njeri Clement's Vision for Inclusive Education 51:00

46 weeks ago51:00

51:00

In this episode of ChangeMaking Connections, we delve into the rich tapestry of diverse experiences and cultural wisdom with Njeri Clement.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Queer Dharma: Yoga, Activism, and Healing Spaces with Jacoby Ballard 39:03

48 weeks ago39:03

39:03

Join us on ChangeMaking Connections as we bend towards justice and stretch the bounds of acceptance - your presence is a gift.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Amelia Ortega on Trauma-Informed Leadership in Multiracial Communities 56:44

50 weeks ago56:44

56:44

In this poignant episode of ChangeMaking Connections, the remarkable Amelia Ortega guides us through the intricate tapestry of trauma consciousness and the power of group narratives in healing intergenerational wounds.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Kamilah Majied on Embracing Hope and Agency in Justice Work 53:34

1 year ago53:34

53:34

In this episode of ChangeMaking Connections, we explore the profound intersections of hope, suffering, and the relentless pursuit of joy with the inimitable Kamilah Majied.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Uniting Voices: Pratima Gurung's Intersectional Approach to Advocacy 40:09

1 year ago40:09

40:09

On this transformative journey at ChangeMaking Connections, our paths intertwine with the formidable Pratima Gurung—a symbol of collective and collaborative leadership.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Bridging Communities: Keri Gray's Mission for Disability and Racial Equity 53:42

1 year ago53:42

53:42

Today, we have the honor of hosting a powerhouse of advocacy and resilience, Keri Gray. Keri is not just a survivor, but a ceaseless champion for change.

ChangeMaking Connections

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Building Resilient Communities with Dr.Monika L. Son 52:12

1 year ago52:12

52:12

We’re diving deep into the intersections of personal healing and social justice with the esteemed Dr. Monika L. Son. Dr. Son, a seasoned expert with over two decades in education, shares her insights on the importance of embodying our power through contemplative practices and why embracing all facets of our identities is crucial in our work for change.…

ChangeMaking Connections

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The Intersections of Queer Culture, Authentic Leadership, and Social Change 50:19

1 year ago50:19