Be the Bridge Podcast

In this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, Dr. Eric Mason joins Latasha for a deep conversation surrounding deconstruction, biblical literacy, and racial reconciliation. This episode is full of biblical wisdom and cultural insight. Dr. Mason also gives great recommendations for resources you will want to get and listen to.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“The Gospel restores all people's dignity. It makes us fully in the image of God through being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.” -Dr. Mason

"In the era of misinformation, in the era of information memes and urban legends, biblical literacy is a must. We cannot assume that people understand the faith." -Dr. Mason

“Urban Apologetics is not just for Black people. This is for Christians. These are books that our white brothers and sisters should be getting and teaching from also.” -Tasha

“The devil always over promises and under delivers.” -Dr. Mason

“So if repetition exegetically is a sign of biblical emphasis, then we need to emphasize what God emphasizes. And if Jesus pulls justice as a hermeneutical lens to use in interpreting the Bible, we should.” -Dr. Mason

“Justice is a reflection of God's character.” -Dr. Mason

“You can't be a Christian and not deal with justice. It's unchristian to ignore justice.” -Dr. Mason

“Can you imagine having to answer to Jesus that you left a church because the pastor was calling you to value a person because they weren't treated justly?” -Dr. Mason

“You will know racial reconciliation is happening in your church when white people can submit to Black people.” -Dr. Mason

“I think that it's very important that there be a racial IQ growth in the body of Christ.” -Dr. Mason

Links:

Dr. Eric Mason: https://www.pastoremase.com/

Epiphany Fellowship: https://www.epiphanyfellowship.org/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC76WVwO_8jULaF3i0oVJF0g

Lands of the Bible Cruise 2022 with Dr. Eric Mason, Dr. Bryan Loritts, Pastor Albert Tate, and Lecrae: http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/pf22101622c58465#eotours

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Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey

https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

The Be the Bridge Facebook Ministry group was formed in 2020 and is a place for those in leadership in the church to lean into the conversation of racial righteousness. It provides a courageous space for learning, growing, and helping the Church lead in a proactive way. In this episode, founder of Be the Bridge, Latasha Morrison, is joined with the leader of the ministry group, Mariah Humphries, as well as two of the members of it, Brian Kilde and Annie Banceu, to share their experience in the group. This podcast episode reveals their journey of what pushed them into bridge building work and why they continue in it when pushback comes. It will encourage you to know you’re not alone in this important work.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“Ultimately, one of the reasons for starting Be the Bridge was because I really wanted to see the Church, the body of Christ, be more of a credible witness in this conversation.” -Tasha

“Sometimes people don't know, because they don't have the information. But when they're provided the information, they do better.” -Tasha

“I've got a heart for the American church. And for me to have a desire for the American church to change, I need to be able to also have a heart for those who are leading the American church.” -Mariah

“This work starts with humility.” -Tasha

“At Be the Bridge, we're not trying to convince people of stuff. We want you to come already convinced and ready to do the work and ready to replicate and reproduce the work.” -Tasha

“It is a place to make mistakes, it is a place for us to be educated and trained and discipled and relearn.” -Brian

“Racism is a place of spiritual formation just as much as every other area of life, and is a sin that needs to be called out, confessed in humility, and repented from, and repaired.” -Brian

“People of color, leaders of color, pastors of color, help me see fuller God's glory in imago dei.” -Annie

“It's my heart and my passion for the Church to take on a rightful place in this conversation and not be reactive but be proactive, because this is such gospel work.” -Mariah

Links:

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey

https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

Ellie Holcomb is a singer-songwriter and author based in Nashville, TN who joins Latasha Morrison on this episode to discuss her personal journey toward racial righteousness. She shares how she started a Be the Bridge group, how this bridge-building work has impacted her life and a recent trip she took to the Grand Canyon, and about her new song called “Bridge.” Listen in and hear about the growth that can happen from listening and beauty that can come from curiosity. Be encouraged with this conversation of the power of diverse authentic community in being light and hope in this world.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Quotes:

“Because I think it's so easy to stay safe and comfortable with what we're familiar with. And I think actually, we're missing out when we do. And that's where I started realizing I'm like, oh my goodness. This has been my loss from not intentionally listening to my Black and Brown brothers and sisters.” -Ellie

“If you actually really start listening to the people in your life who are Black and Brown, who have had different experiences than you, you will grieve. You will grieve. If you start researching history, there will be and there should be grief.” -Ellie

But the beauty for me has become that my understanding, as we've walked through this book, as we've listened, acknowledged the truth, repented, lamented, and then started this work of rebuilding, the gospel has become wider and higher and deeper and more wonderful and more colorful, and more powerful than I ever imagined.” -Ellie

Links:Land acknowledgment in reference to the conversation around the Grand Canyon: 'Guardians Of The Grand Canyon': The Havasupai Tribe's Long Connection To The Canyon's Red Rockshttps://unitedstreettours.com/https://www.anniefdowns.com/podcast/episode-223-mike-kelsey/http://www.thenewrespects.com/https://cornertocorner.org/https://eji.org/https://ellieholcomb.lnk.to/canyon (edited)

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey

https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

Jamie Ivey is an author and speaker, talk show host, and the popular podcast host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey. She joins Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison for a great conversation where they discuss the difference between empathy and sympathy, share wisdom in parenting, and give encouragement for the times you get pushback in this bridge building work. Jamie also opens up about her Native heritage. This conversation will be helpful and hopeful.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“One of the things that has really been important for me is to think through what voices can I elevate because of the people who are listening to me?” - Jamie

“My brain and my eyes and my heart have been opened wider than I ever imagined they could have been. And that's taken work. And I’ve taken heat for it in some ways.” -Jamie

“Empathy is the difference of sitting in it with someone. Sympathy is when I'm a bystander but I'm not sitting in it with you.” -Tasha

“It's not my children's responsibility to open my eyes up to racial injustice in our country.” -Jamie

“If you're raising a Black child and you're white, their experience in life is going to be 100% different than yours. And you want your child to feel like they can tell you and that you are an advocate for them.” -Jamie

“I love to tell people, it's not always what people do in front, but it's also what they're doing behind the curtain.” -Tasha

“This work is spiritual work. This is discipleship. This is spiritual formation that we're going through.” -Tasha“You have to be teachable. And if you're not teachable, that is exhausting to a person of color.” -Tasha

“This is not my work. This is God's work. And that's what sustains me.” -Tasha

“I started Be the Bridge because of the local church. So I want to see the Church whole and well. And when we get it, the world gets it.” -Tasha

“I hold on to my ancestors before me that hoped for a better future.” -Tasha

“Like our ethnicity, our culture comes from God. And it's expansive. Look at all the people and languages that God has created. And so when that is stolen from us, or when that is withheld from us, there's disruption that happens in God's original design. And so it's about the reordering of things, reconciliation. Justice is about the reordering of things.” -Tasha

“I wish that people would enter into spaces and conversations with people and trust that their feelings are real.” - Jamie

“I think the hope is we see glimpses of change...And if there were so many stories of change, there's hope for everyone to also change as well.” -Jamie

“Broken systems create broken language.” -Tasha

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey

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Pastor Stephanie Williams O’Brien joins Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison on the podcast for a conversation surrounding the injustices the community of Minneapolis has endured, the lifelong commitment to racial justice, submitting to the leadership of people of color, and her new book Make a Move all about the practical advice she gives for making decisions and acting in faith. And she speaks words of encouragement for both leaders of color and white leaders. Pastor Stephanie will help you get unstuck in your personal life and your spiritual life, your life in community, and your life of bridge-building.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:“It's an intentional choice to seek out and welcome the authority of leaders in your life.” -Stephanie

“This is not about a moment, but it's about a lifestyle. This is not about a short-term commitment. This is about conviction.” -Latasha

“Maybe instead of praying that our church becomes more diverse, let's pray that we're people that would actually be safe for folks to come in.” -Stephanie

“So read the books, watch the things, but experiment in behaviors that change and shape us, because I think we can behave our way into new thinking. And we can also think our way into new behaviors.” -Stephanie

“How are we not willing to hold space for a discussion before we have already judged it?” -Stephanie

“If we can just say, ‘God, I want to be on your heels, what are you doing? And how can I respond?’ If that was our orientation every day, that's where we're going to figure out how we can leverage privilege and be people who bring hope and help and who learn.” -Stephanie

“My prayer is for people not to make the same historical mistakes.” -Latasha

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey

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In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, founder Latasha Morrison is joined by Stephen Satterfield, host of the critically acclaimed Netflix docuseries “High on the Hog.” Since 2007, Stephen Satterfield has spent his career redefining food and beverage as a means of organizing, activating, and educating, and is among the most prominent and respected voices in U.S. food media. Latasha and Stephen talk about the stories behind the making of the hit show, the significance of land theft in the truthful telling of American history, and the complicated yet beautiful relationship between Black Americans and food. 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Brittany Prescott

Quotes:

“If you follow the migration of food, you’re really talking about the migration also of people, of plants, of animals, of information.” - Stephen Satterfield

“Feeling like you have space in the world is a powerful thing.” - Stephen Satterfield

“So when I talk about the need for us to have pride in where we come from, it’s an act of love, but it’s also an act of taking back power.” - Stephen Satterfield

“People are holding these stories and it is our job to go find them and tell them and write about them.” - Latasha Morrison

“Our relationship to food, our relationship to this country, the relationship between Black people and white people foundationally is a relationship of exploitation of subjugation and racism. That’s a lot to overcome.” - Stephen Satterfield

“We have to understand how this all works together. And what is the end result? A wealth gap and a wealth disparity that is land-based, that is now bigger than it was even during the period of reconstruction. So we’ve gone backwards.” - Stephen Satterfield

“In the ways in which racism is systemic, repair needs to be systemic.” - Stephen Satterfield

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey

https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

After playing nine years in the NFL, Sam Acho is a writer, motivational speaker, and humanitarian. He joins Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison on the podcast to share his story. They discuss his Nigerian roots, his passion for justice work, his journey with counseling, and more. Sam offers encouragement and hope with his authenticity and vulnerability. And he dives into the heart behind his must-read book, Let the World See You.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“This thread of justice began in the womb, but then it's going to follow me to the tomb.” - Sam Acho

“When communities have hope, that fuels change and transformation.” -Tasha

“Micah 6:8 says that we should seek justice, that we should love mercy, that we should walk humbly with God. And so it's also our job to seek justice, in unison with others and in unison with God.” -Sam Acho

“Seeking justice isn't something that you do in a vacuum. It's not something that you do alone.” -Sam Acho 

“Prayer is the key.” -Sam Acho

“You don't have to be a doctor or a nurse. You don't have to have a book. You don't have to have a podcast. You don't have to have a follower. You have to have a heart. You have to bring what you have.” -Sam Acho

“Change starts with you. And it starts with those things that break your heart, those things that just don't feel right and then doing something about it.“If you're breathing, you can do something.” -Tasha

“I found myself trying to carry all this weight of being who everyone else wanted me to be. And that weight was heavy. It was a lot to carry. And I did not even realize that I was carrying it.” -Sam Acho

“When you're you, God gets the glory, the people around you benefit, and the world around you thrives. When you pretend, none of that happens.” -Sam Acho“I think the main question that needs to be asked is: What can I do? Period.” -Sam Acho

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

In this special bonus episode that you will not want to miss, Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison talks with Dr. Claudia May. Along with being a professor and the Director of the Reconciliation Studies Program at Bethel University, Dr. May is a poet, scholar, and award-winning children's book author. She joins Latasha in this episode to discuss Juneteenth. They dive into the history, the beauty, the complexities around the important day. The depth of this conversation will bring enlightenment, healing, and hope.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“And what the spirituals remind us is that these were composers, creators, theologians, critical thinkers who did their exegesis, did their hermeneutics through the spirituals.” -Dr. Claudia May

“We need to acknowledge pain and injustice, and we address that. But we also need to embrace the truth that Black people are contributors.” -Dr. Claudia May “We need a variety of stories speaking about a variety of experiences that show us that Black people are not monolithic. We're complex human beings and multilayered. We need to see that.” -Dr. Claudia May

“Some of the principles for me of Juneteenth: acknowledging the injustices that we have confronted and ignored and lived through, to learn about and celebrate the histories and contributions of Black people, and applaud our lives and gifts and achievements.” -Dr. Claudia May

“I often say to my students, y'all need to travel, especially my Black students. Y'all to travel to see the impact we're having on world culture. Juneteenth acknowledges those kinds of contributions.” -Dr. Claudia May

“Our artistic expressions give multiple people's ways to access what their truth means to them.” -Dr. Claudia May“That we continue to learn from our ancestors, which is what Juneteenth reminds us. That we are interconnected, and that those in the past can contribute to our present. We don't have to be confined to our ancestors. But our ancestors, the cloud of witnesses shaped us, they can inform how we engage with the injustices that we encounter.” -Dr. Claudia May

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Take a look inside the lives of two co-leaders of a Be the Bridge group in this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast hosted by founder Latasha Morrison. Latasha is joined by Andrea Middleton and Margo Yoder for an honest, revealing look into their experiences co-leading a Be the Bridge group. Together they bring us insight on the do’s and don’ts of leadership, how to stay engaged with members, the benefits of a community founded on common memory, and the rewarding triumphs that accompany sometimes disheartening setbacks as a leader. 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Brittany Prescott

Quotes:

“The groups are the heartbeat of what we do.” - Latasha

“And so this work doesn’t just stop with a conversation or start with a conversation, it continues on in how you live your life.” - Latasha

“Leaders have to be learners.” - Latasha

“If you have a willing heart and you’re open to learn, and you’re in constant learning—God will cover you. God will make up for where you are missing those pieces as a leader.“- Andrea

“For the rest of my life, I will be undoing the first 40 years of my life where I grew up in a culture of not understanding the world around me.” - Margo

“When we learn to just listen without adding in our own words and our own experiences, and just listen and believe the person who is speaking to us—I think that is a huge, huge marker of growth.” - Margo

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE

Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, our founder, Latasha Morrison, has a conversation with world-renowned and multi-platinum hip-hop artist, Lecrae. His wisdom resonates throughout the interview as he shares his story from navigating predominately white spaces to his thoughts on church culture. They discuss his amazing philanthropic endeavors and his personal battles with mental health. And through it all, Lecrae shares how he still has joy and hope.

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:
“This music was the way I could hear stories I understood and I related. That's how I first began to fall in love with hip-hop.” -Lecrae“Over time I began to realize, to some people I was a novelty and it wasn't that they appreciated all of who I was and all of my story.” -Lecrae

“For me, it's figuring out how to use what I have to serve other people.” -Lecrae

“It’s that tension and that dance of trying to be loving and gracious, but at the same time, also saying, this is not okay. And so it's working through that tension. Because I never want to function as a hateful person. I always want to function as someone who's gracious and wants people to wrestle with nuance and ignorance. But there's a place to do that. And oftentimes it's not in front of the camera.” -Lecrae

“You can't grow without tension.” -Lecrae

“I connect with the Scriptures, I connect with God, I connect with my Savior. But the culture that's wrapped up in this I don't connect with.” -Lecrae

“It was tough to reorient myself. It was tough to realign myself to depend on therapy and change my lifestyle to slow down. It was tough, but I really feel like it was the best thing that's happened to me because I'm a better person from it.” -Lecrae

“In this season of life, I find a lot of joy in contentment. I find myself content in terms of my own ambitions so that I can be ambitious for other people.” -Lecrae

“When the Trail of Tears was happening, during 400 years of slavery, during segregation, the tomb was empty. People held on to that reality then, and I can hold on to it today. The tomb is empty and I can keep pushing.” -Lecrae

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Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/