Amateur Activist with Isabela Herrera

Join Isabela this week as she works through chapter 3-5 of an anti-racism activity book called Do the Work! by W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz.  

This episode is the final part of this short series. In this episode, Isabela looks at America’s history & tries to answer the question, “how did we get here.” She takes a version of the US naturalisation test, re-evaluates the actions of some of our presidents, and criticises the use of red-lining & policing. 

Isabela ends the episode with talking about the ways we can embody what we’ve learned and how to integrate our activism into the day to day.

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

Connect with W. Kamau Bell here.

Connect with Kate Schatz here.

A massive thank you to Mossy Heart Media for designing the cover art and logo.

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

Join Isabela this week as she works through the first two chapters of an anti-racism activity book called Do the Work! by W. Kamau Bell and Kate Schatz.  

This episode is part 1 of 2. In this episode, Isabela identifies who she is, defines key terms, and acknowledges her privilege. 

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

Connect with W. Kamau Bell here.

Connect with Kate Schatz here.

A massive thank you to Mossy Heart Media for designing the cover art and logo.

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

Join Isabela for a solo session!

This week, Isabela sits down to talk about Men's Mental Health Awareness Month and has an over-simplified yap about why the patriarchy may be at the centre of men's poor mental health, the higher suicide rates, and male loneliness.

*In case no one's told you recently: you are loved, you are wanted & the world is a better place with you in it.

The resources discussed in the episode are:

For the United States:

• Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line — text “home” to 741-741
• CA Peer-Run Warm Line —  1-855-600-9276

For Australia:

• Lifeline AUS — 13 11 14 24/7 crisis support

For the UK:

• Andy’s Man Club — a men’s suicide prevention charity that offers free-to-attend support groups across the UK
• Mind.org — website with resources UK specific 

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll or @amateuractivistpod

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

Brandi Jones joins the Amateur Activist this week to talk about Secure Families Initiative - the work they do, the importance of advocating for military spouses & family and why their experiences are important to listen to. As the Organising Director, Brandi establishes the vision, systems and strategies for SFI. She oversees grassroots programs, international campaigns and coordinates across departments to ensure that the values & experiences of their members are heard & uplifted. 

In this episode, Isabela and Brandi talk about the goals & mission of SFI, why it’s important to civilians to prioritise these issues, the different ways SFI advocated for military familes on The Hill, and how listeners can get involved.

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

Connect with Secure Familes Initiative on Instagram or at their website. 

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here.

Natalia Aíza joins the Amateur Activist this week to talk about OCD. Natalia has years of experience in this space - as an OCD experiencer, OCD therapist, activist and coach.

In this episode, Isabela and Natalia talk through the basics - what is OCD, how might someone get diagnosed, and what recovery and ERP looks like. They also talk about what communities or demographics struggle with getting help because of certain pressures or stigmas and the different ways people may be able to support loved ones experiencing OCD. 

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

Connect with Natalia on Instagram or you can email her at [email protected]

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

David Hayward aka NakedPastor joins the Amateur Activist this week to talk about his deconstruction. David is a pastor turned full-time artist who paints, draws, and fosters a global digital community around the journey of deconstruction, self-discovery, healing and spirituality.

In this episode David and Isabela talk about why he left traditional ministry 15 years ago, why he believes deconstruction is a way of life & not simply a phase, the purpose of reconstruction, and so much more. This is an episode for everyone and we hope you enjoy it!

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

You can connect with David on any social media platform under @NakedPastor or on his website.

David has a book out called Flip It Like This which you can buy, ⁠here⁠

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

Jarrod McKenna joins the Amateur Activist this week to talk about activism, what embodied radical compassion should look like, the important work of nonviolence, and encouragement to young people just getting started in this work. 

Jarrod has years of experience in this space, engaging in grassroots movements, his work with various organisations such as Common Grace, Love Makes A Way, and First Home Project. 

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

Connect with Jarrod on Instagram, on his website, or listen to his podcasts, Inverse Podcast and Good on Wood. 

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

Welcome to the Amateur Book Club! In this episode, Isabela talks about the #1 National Bestseller & New York Times Bestseller, The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates. 

Isabela introduces listeners to the book and the varying media attention that the books has received, both positive and negative. Then, she dives into her thoughts & major takeaways. 

This is book 1 out of 4 for the Amateur Book Club. Follow us on Instagram @amateuractivistpod or @belagiirrll and keep an eye out for book 2, which we’ll vote and decide on in April. 

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here

The Amateur Activist is joined by her mum for a special birthday celebration episode. Isabela’s mum, Andrea, takes over the podcast as the host and asks Isabela questions that were sent in by listeners and friends. 

Andrea and Isabela talk about birthday rituals, the transition from Australia back to America, and things they’ve learned about each other over the years. 

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here.

Lane Smith joins the Amateur Activist to talk about their book, 78 Acts of Liberation: Tarot to Transform our World. 

Lane and Isabela discuss a brief history of Tarot, Lane’s changing relationship with it, and how it can be a useful tool of activism, advocacy & personal reflection in these spaces.

As always, we are so grateful for everyone who listens and shares. When you get a moment, we'd be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts, rated us on Spotify, or tagged us in your stories on Instagram, @amateuractivistpod

Connect with me on Instagram, @belagiirrll

Connect with Lane at their website or on BlueSky

A big thank you to David Andrew for producing the music for this season. Follow him ⁠here