The Outcasts: A Journey Of Believing, Becoming, And Belonging podcast

#Society #Conversations #Adoption #Transracial #Podcasting Education #Jc Brooks #Insight #Information

22:49

Jonathan Jones is an NFL cornerback for the Washington Commanders who rose from the undrafted ranks to become two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a businessman, philanthropist, and licensed pilot. In 2019, Jonathan founded the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation in 2019, a platform dedicated to empowering youth through education, professional development, and mentorship. The foundation works to alleviate food insecurity, promote women in stem and sports, and to promote professional development in the communities where he lives. Jay and Jonathan talk about investing in the communities they live in, acknowledging the people who helped you become the person you are, and paying that same investment forward to the next generation. Episode Chapters 0:00 intro 1:24 Building local connections 4:25 Jonathan’s mentors and mentees 10:54 Jonathan’s pride in his mentees’ successes 13:04 how Jonathan chooses his causes 14:08 Jonathan’s support for girls and young women 17:19: Jonathan’s passion for flying 19:40 The Next Step Foundation 20:29 Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…

The Outcasts: A Journey of Believing, Becoming, and Belonging

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My name is JC (Jean Claude) Brooks, and my mission is to give a voice to those who have ever felt like they didn’t fit under a certain category… those who might feel like they “don’t belong.” From growing up as a young Haitian boy to being adopted as a teenager into a Caucasian family in America, this is my story of becoming. I look forward to introducing you to people like me, people unlike me, and people who are still figuring it out. We will also explore how you can help children who are in need of a forever home and the challenges that they face. I hope to take you deep into my journey and into the hearts of others while helping you continue to find yourself. Consider The Outcasts to be your safe space— a space where we will believe, become, and belong— together.

16 episodes

The Outcasts: A Journey of Believing, Becoming, and Belonging

updated 2 years ago

Series home•Feed

16 episodes

#Society #Conversations #Adoption #Transracial #Podcasting Education #Jc Brooks #Insight #Information

All episodes

1
Mental Matters: Advocating for Mental Health in the Black Community & Living with Bipolar Disorder with George P Brooks 31:48

2 years ago31:48

31:48

I was blessed to have the opportunity to have an honest and open conversation with mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and life coach George P Brooks. George is the founder of METTA Association, a nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and awareness for decriminalizing and destigmatizing that which concerns mental illness. After discovering his mental illness at a young age, George has dedicated his time to helping others get to the root of their mental illness and the ways that it can be treated. George is also dedicated to advocating for healthy fatherhood and co-parenting while working with others through divorce trauma. He is an advocate for mental health in the black community, and especially for black men. George also has some intriguing plans in the works outside of his nonprofit work. George's story and insight on mental illness is sure to bring new awareness and empathy to all.…

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Mental Matters: Working Through Trauma and Using Adversity to Make You Stronger with Zach Brooks 53:21

2 years ago53:21

53:21

Trigger Warning: This episode contains content about suicide. Today, I share an eye-opening interview with my brother, Zach Brooks. Zach shares some major trauma that he has experienced and how he has taken his adversities and turned them into strength. Zach unfortunately lost two of his dearest friends within months of each other, which brought on strong feelings and many questions. When he went to take on some serious life changes, he experienced a few speed bumps along the way. If you or someone you know are in crisis, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free, 24-hour hotline, at 1.800.273.8255.…

1
Mental Matters: Navigating Anxiety and Deciding When It's Time with Kayla Crawford 35:57

2 years ago35:57

35:57

In this episode of our Mental Matters series, I share with you an interview with a dear friend of mine, Kayla. She shares with us her journey of navigating life with anxiety from childhood to adulthood. Kayla discovered her feelings of anxiety at a young age, and her journey to becoming ready for therapy aims to inspire and give you guidance. Realizing you have anxiety, depression, or another mental illness can leave you questioning your value and the validity of the things happening around you. Kayla does a great job of breaking down those feelings and getting real about when you should seek help.…

1
Mental Matters: My Journey Through Therapy 27:50

2 years ago27:50

27:50

We are back after taking some time to develop a new series: Mental Matters. Throughout this series, I will be taking you into the minds and the hearts of people like you... people with unique stories, everyday battles, and accomplishments that have molded them into the individuals they are today. Mental health has become near and dear to me as I have experienced my own journey through therapy, and I wanted to make this series one of knowledge and hope. I look forward to sharing my story with therapy and others' mental health journeys as we unpack this series moving forward. Thank you for your commitment to The Outcasts, and I am so glad to be back behind the mic sharing my truth.…

1
Adoptee Chronicles: Bebe Porpilia 52:36

3 years ago52:36

52:36

In this episode, we hear the story of Bebe Porpilia, who was adopted by my paternal aunt. Bebe was the youngest adoptee from our orphanage in Haiti who recently graduated from Anderson University. We get to know more about her family background and her journey from the orphanage to the states.

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Title Series: Becoming 11:45

3 years ago11:45

11:45

You should always be your biggest supporter and always make sure to surround yourself with the right people that wants to see you win. Our minds are so powerful, and we have to use that to our advantage. We have to believe in our dream, put the work in, then we will become whatever we put our minds to.…

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Title Series: Believing 22:17

3 years ago22:17

22:17

I wanted to start a mini-series explaining the meaning behind the title of my podcast. Believing, becoming, and belonging are three powerful words that are the epitome of my journey, and this journey starts with believing. Through finding myself, I have had to wholeheartedly believe in the power I hold to own my truth as I work through my story.…

1
Adoptee Chronicles: Amanda Sparso 46:45

3 years ago46:45

46:45

Amanda was adopted from China over 25 years ago. Growing up as a transracial adoptee, Amanda has embraced and celebrated both sides of her culture & heritage. She focused heavily on theater, dance, and music artistry before landing a career as a CG Lighter. Amanda is well known for Yuanfen, a short film she created and directed highlighting the adoption process through a child's eyes. Currently, Amanda stays busy as a CG Lighter, Adoptee Advocate, and Career Coach for Creative Artists.…

1
Adoptee Chronicles: Merlande Brooks 49:42

3 years ago49:42

49:42

In today's episode, my special guest is Merlande Brooks. Merlande and I are both from Haiti. We were adopted into the same family in 2010. Merlande is very resilient. She was raised by her grandfather before she got to the orphanage, and after being adopted she has now taken the responsibility of taking care of her siblings and grandfather.…

1
The Adoption Process feat. Tara 31:21

3 years ago31:21

31:21

As promised, this week, I had the opportunity to interview the woman who made it all happen - my mother, Tara. I was able to gain a new perspective of my journey through Tara's story. Our interview was eye-opening to the obstacles she and my father faced while bringing Woody and me to the United States. I am so appreciative that her resilience was able to give me so much opportunity.…

1
Q&A 57:45

3 years ago57:45

57:45

After telling you guys about my life story, I wanted to give each of you the opportunity to ask some questions and you guys did not disappoint. I want to thank each and everyone that took the time to ask a question. I had a special guess helping me with these questions.

1
Post-High School to Present Day in America 33:51

3 years ago33:51

33:51

After I graduated high school, I got a scholarship to play football as a kicker at an HBCU in Missouri called Lincoln University, it was quite the shell shock for me. It was there that I learn so much about what it means to be black in America, who I am, and where exactly I might fit in. I transferred to multiple schools and in the midst of all that, I joined the Air National Guard in Charlotte North Carolina. After taking many breaks from school to work I finally graduated college from UNC Charlotte. For the next episode, I plan on doing a Q&A and answering any questions each of you may have, so please leave any questions you have as a review or message me on any of my social media pages.…

1
Being Adopted and Early Years in America 24:11

3 years ago24:11

24:11

In this week's episode, the adoption is finalized and we made it home to the state of North Carolina. We had our first meal in the states after being adopted and you'll be surprised to find out what it is exactly. We find out the hardships Woody and I had to deal with from, school, to the language barrier, to everyday life. In the midst of all that we learn to adapt to the environment even though everything was completely different from what we were used to. The hardest part of the adoption was my parents getting divorced and learning to navigate that, as everyone else was relying on you to make sure they were doing well. My high School years were some of the best years that I had experienced in the states. I made some lifelong friends and gained a whole other family who loves me and cares for me as if I was their own. I felt like I was all over the place in this episode pertaining to the stories being, time-wise and I apologize.…

1
Movement from Haiti to the United States 31:21

3 years ago31:21

31:21

In February of 2007, my friends and I in the orphanage were brought to the United States as a choir to sing in churches throughout the country. During this period is when I met my adoptive family for the first time. Coming from Haiti to the U.S. was my first real culture shock. My friends and I had to adapt to a totally different lifestyle, even though it was for a short duration of time. We found a way to make the best of a seemingly uncomfortable situation as young children, and our opportunities brought us more than we could have ever dreamed. If you have any questions pertaining to any part of the story, please do not hesitate to leave a review with your questions and I will make sure to answer them.…

1
Early Childhood in Haiti 31:52

3 years ago31:52

31:52

As Early on as I can remember, I've had to make some big life-changing decisions. At a very young age, my mom passed and everything in my life had changed. In this episode, we will be traveling back to the earliest I can remember, from playing soccer daily with my friends in the neighborhood to making decisions that would affect where my life is currently. My resiliency is one of the biggest reasons I'm where I'm at in this life today. I always took every obstacle head-on. I want to thank everyone that takes the time to listen to this podcast and for supporting me in all the ways that you do. May God bless you and yours.…

The Outcasts: A Journey of Believing, Becoming, and Belonging

1
Introduction "The Outcasts: A Journey of Believing, Becoming, and Belonging" 6:33

3 years ago6:33