Episode: 040 “I’ve Got Scars, Baby: Stop Hiding and Be Seen” (Audra Bryant)                 

Airdate: December 8, 2021

Length: 56:41

Guests: Audra Bryant

In this powerful episode Audra Bryant shares her story of being a burn survivor. She experienced the traumatic event when she was just 18 months old. During her childhood she felt a sense of shame about the scars on her body. She quickly learned how to hide those scars as well as how to hide behind them. Admittedly, she barely looked at herself in the mirror until she was 25 years old. Imagine the effort, the energy, and the strategizing just to stay hidden.

But she then shifts the conversation to how and why she stopped hiding and began the journey to healing on the inside. She sees her own scar as a metaphor for both physical, emotional, and psychological scars that all people have. Truth be told, we all hide behind something. She calls us out of hiding to be seen and more importantly, to see ourselves. Our scars are proof of both woundedness and healing. Stop hiding and be seen. Turn your scars into your superpower!

You can follow Audra’s music on Apple Music, Spotify, or her website www.audrabryant.com. You can also order her book I’ve Got Scars, Baby! and listen to her podcast of the same name on her site as well. Lastly, check out her YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/AudraBryant.

IG: @audraabryant

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Episode: 039 “Forgiveness: When Relationships Wound and Heal” (Cristin Spriggs)                    

Airdate: November 24, 2021

Length: 54:22

Guests: Cristin Spriggs

Sometimes the challenging path to healing is not hard to find, but it is within in our grasp, one decision away. It doesn’t mean the process to healing is easy, but it is attainable. Hear Cristin Spriggs’ story about her two-fold journey to forgive her father for absence and neglect when she was a child and finding a family (his family) she never knew. Cristin shares a powerful testimony of forgiveness that released her into healing and wholeness. In this process, she was able to connect with her father’s side of the family which is of Indigenous background, the Lumbee Tribe.

Forgiveness is not about letting those who offend us off the hook, but about letting ourselves off the hook. Our souls carry the weight and burden of unforgiveness that hinders growth. Forgiveness has the potential to lift that weight. Entering relationship with the family she never knew contributed to lifting that weight. She learns that her gift of hospitality is in her blood. The hospitality she received affirmed her. The soil she digs with her hands as she gardens is in her blood as well. It is connected to her father’s love for trees and his landscaping business. The soil she digs is also connected to her people’s land, this land that was taken from Native People. As she says about her people, "Lumbee people are cultivators of the land."

She offers hope for healing during this holiday season and beyond with the simple practice of forgiveness. This is not an overnight achievement, but a beautiful, messy, and painful process. Be invited to this process in your own life if/where there is the need to forgive someone so that you can experience more wholeness.

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Episode: 038 “Coming Home to Myself: Healing from Lies and Narratives (Danielle Castillejo)               

Airdate: November 17, 2021

Length: 48:03

Guests: Danielle Castillejo

In this episode Danielle Castillejo discusses her journey in rewriting new narratives around her identity as an Indigenous, Mexican, and German woman, as well as new narratives around her faith. She learned as a child what it meant to not belong in white spaces by observing her mother’s experiences. Now she navigates that space with her own family—husband of Latino background and her children. But what does it mean to be in white spaces, particularly in white conservative, evangelical Christian spaces? One thing we learn from this episode is what it means to deconstruct and reconstruct. Danielle shares we were never deconstructing in the first place because we have not been whole. The narratives of the dominant culture has left us in pieces. It’s time to turn the lights on and become whole.

Danielle grounds her work, personally and professionally, in Jesus. Despite the theologies that have oppressed and manipulated, she rests in the kindness and love of Jesus. This is certainly where wholeness begins, when we identify and allow the brown-bodied Jesus to love us through the Spirit. Listen to a snippet of her own story from childhood to adult. Glean from her faith. Take heed to reintegrate body and mind and live into wholeness.

You can follow her at www.daniellecastillejo.com or www.wayfindingtherapy.com

Also check out the podcast she co-hosts called The Arise Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Episode: 037 “See Them, Hear Them: Mental Health and Our Children”                 

Airdate: November 10, 2021

Length: 45:36

Guests: Dr. Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD

As we discuss mental health, trauma, and wellness for this series of episodes it is imperative that we talk about mental health as it relates to our youth. Pre-pandemic, it was already a concern, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, with social distancing, distant learning, mask-wearing, and the division in our country, the issues around mental health and our children has become more concerning. For example, there is a rise in teenage girls from 14-18 in depression and suicide ideation and attempts. This is even more pronounced among Latina and African American teenage girls.

Dr. Sinclair talks about her passion for psychology and giving back to her community since she was a young girl and how it translates to her work today. In this episode she talks about being attentive and proactive about our children’s mental wellbeing. She cautions us to not be afraid of the labels that society may put on us if it is learn we as adults or our children are struggling with mental health. If adults struggle with talking about it and exposing that to others, then how much more would our youth struggle with disclosing and addressing it. We must pay attention.

She helps us distinguish between legitimate mental health issues or crises and the ordinary “having a bad day” that children may have. Their ability or capacity to function and participate fully versus withdrawing from activities is the primary indicator of a mental health crisis. It is better to be proactive and preventative than reactionary. She encourages us to listen to our youth. Ask questions. See them. Hear them.

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Intersections with Phil Allen, Jr.         

Episode: 036 “When Faith Sustains Well-being”                       

Airdate: October 19, 2021

Length: 59:17

Guests: Sandy Schaupp

This week’s guest, Sandy Schaupp, takes us on a journey of identity, faith, and companionship. She discusses what her experience was as a Korean American (or as she puts it, 1.8 generation Korean American) who grew up in a predominately white context and how that context formed her. It was her experience in college after being introduced to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship that she met people who were interested in her Korean identity. This was a game changer for her as she began to embrace it more openly, actively resisting the instincts to assimilate to whiteness.

Her role at Intervarsity Christian Fellowship is “spiritual director.” But she calls herself “spiritual companion.” In this role she walks alongside students helping them “unpack their pain and suffering” so that they might now dwell in it but find a pathway to healing and wellness.

She unapologetically points to disciplines of her Christian faith as foundational for her own wellbeing and highly recommends them for others. Sabbath is a central practice in her life. She tells us that Sabbath, not just a day off but a time to restore our joy, includes nature, movement (recreation, exercise, or dance), connection with others, and music. This is in fact a time to play with and enjoy God who is the force behind sustaining our wellbeing.

Hear her wisdom and passion for seeing others (you) thrive, especially during this difficult time we all share together.

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Intersections with Phil Allen, Jr.         

Episode: 035 “Your Body Will Tell the Truth”                              

Airdate: October 6, 2021

Length: 59:43

Guests: La Shonda Coleman LCSW

There are some people who bring joy and peace to spaces when they are present. La Shonda Coleman is one of those people. She is, by her own admission, passionate about people and life. La Shonda turns our attention to what we can know about ourselves from our bodies. In this episode she invites us to “pause” and check in with ourselves because our bodies have something to say about our well-being.

What is unique about La Shonda’s work is her integration of movement and the arts as resources for healing and restoration. She encourages us to not wait on the trauma to happen before we implement wellness practices, but to be proactive and practice them as a way of life. The value of the arts (and movement for that matter) is that they provide equity or equal access to resources for healing. Everyone can tap into the arts and movement.

La Shonda reminds us of our repeated question for this series, “What else is true?” Trauma is a reality, but what is also true is the resiliency built into our beings and the resources for healing are there available to each of us.

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Intersections with Phil Allen, Jr.    

Episode: 034 “Cultivate Your Wellbeing”            

Airdate: September 29, 2021

Length: 57:48

Guests: Elaine Miller-Karas MSW, LCSW

Sometimes you just must sit at the feet of wisdom to listen and absorb. Elaine Miller-Karas in this episode provides that wisdom we need to learn how to respond to trauma or stressful situations and triggers. With a background in maternal child health, behavioral science, and social work, she shares years of experience helping others develop the skills and identifying the resources to cultivate wellbeing., not just individually, but more importantly, as a community. Adversity is not destiny.

It is through Elaine’s organization Trauma Resource Institute’s Community Resiliency Model (CRM) training that I was introduced to the important question, “What else is true?” Today there is much focus on trauma, but not quite as much on resiliency. This conversation should be empowering and encouraging as Elaine brings her hopeful and optimistic perspective to the table helping us tap into wellness despite the various traumas we face.

We are reminded continually of the resiliency within. She invites us to continue to be curious about the truth of the source and reality of our suffering, but also the truthful history of our resiliency.  

You can find more information on Elaine at www.traumaresourceinstitute.com/tri-staff or at www.resiliencywithin.com. Her podcast/radio show on The VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network can be heard on Apple Podcasts.

Facebook: Resiliency Within

Instagram: @resiliencywithin21  

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.

Intersections with Phil Allen, Jr.    

Episode: 033 “Stomping the Stigma of Mental Health”             

Airdate: September 22, 2021

Length: 54:45

Guests: DeShun Radcliff

It is always sacred space when someone is vulnerable enough to be transparent and share their journey with others. That is not something to take lightly. Mrs. DeShun Radcliff does just that, she invites us into a sacred space to hear her struggle and continued victories over depression. She is the founder of the “Stigma Stomping” Brand where she hopes to encourage people to not be afraid to talk about their mental health struggles.

In this episode Mrs. Radcliff discusses what inspired her to become an advocate in this area. Between her own battle and her daughter’s, she has learned a great deal about noticing and attending to the signs. She acknowledges her mistakes as a mother, yet she is committed, as a mother, to not allow those mistakes to keep her from nurturing and championing her daughter as she allows others to champion her.

This episode is vital for parents. She shares practical steps to consider if there is a child fighting this battle. She is also honest about the role the church has played historically in her silence and what she ought to do moving forward to shepherd people through mental health concerns. The stigma around mental health has been perpetuated by the church, but this is a time for redemption. She is real. She is passionate. She is wise. Listen to her wisdom and accept her challenge to not be afraid of the stigmas. 

Here are some resources for anyone needing help for themselves or a loved one.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline    1 800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line          Text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis counseling

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention   1 888-333-AFSP (2377)

SAMHSA’s National helpline   1 800 662 HELP (4357) a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline.

Mental Health

https://nami.org/Home

Sexual Abuse and Incest

https://www.rainn.org/

Domestic Violence

https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/

Support for LGBTQ+ Youth

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Black Mental Health 

https://www.mhanational.org/issues/black-and-african-american-communities-and-mental-health

NAMI Latinx Mental Health:

https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Hispanic-Latinx

Asian Mental Health : 

https://www.asianmhc.org/resource 

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Phil Allen, Jr. is a Los Angeles-based author, poet, social justice activist, and filmmaker. Allen’s book Open Wounds explores the murder of Nate Allen—Phil Allen’s grandfather—in the Jim Crow era of South Carolina and how that traumatic event resonated through generations of his family. Open Wounds – which is based on the Allen-produced documentary of the same name – was published on February 9, 2021. Allen is a Ph.D. candidate studying Christian ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA.