Be the Bridge Podcast

Counselor, Author, and Speaker Cam Lee Small joins Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast during National Adoption Month to help shift the culture and church’s narrative surrounding adoption. As a transracial adoptee himself, Cam brings his lived experience and his professional work to this conversation.

They discuss the tension of being connected to two places, the necessity of centering adoptees’ voices and stories, and ways to honor heritages and birth families. They also dive into the importance of celebrating and submitting to leadership that is not centered on whiteness, as well as the need to reframe the language around adoption so that it is not compared to the gospel.

Cam generously shares some of his own journey of self discovery with the Be the Bridge community. And he encourages adoptees to have a community to be able to express their feelings. Everyone will leave this episode with more empathy, understanding, and language.

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios

Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“I was a son before I was adopted”. -Cam Lee Small

“This work can't start when you adopt. The work has to start prior to that.” -Latasha Morrison

“Let's not have the adoptive parent be the first one to jump on stage and teach us about the adoptee journey. Let's ask adoptees about that.” -Cam Lee Small

Links:

If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. 

Ads:

Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:

Be the Bridge TRA Academy Course

Bellis

The Inclusive Family Support Model

Connect with Cam Lee Small:

His Website

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Connect with Be the Bridge:

Our Website

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and a prophetic voice to her writing in her books Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way and on her popular Instagram account, Liturgies for Parents.

In this episode, Latasha and Kayla share hope and lament. They talk about the beauty and accessibility of liturgies in our faith journeys and the need to engage curiosity in our relationship with God and others. They discuss the importance of being honest about our history and being honest with God. And Kayla blesses the Be the Bridge community with readings from her book.

(Note: This conversation was recorded on September 14th, for context for listeners as to why some of the current global conflicts and recent national gun violence tragedies are not named in the laments.)

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios

Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“I embrace history because it makes us who we are.” -Latasha Morrison

“Kids invite us into curiosity, because we start to unlearn that. When we embrace a posture of curiosity instead of having all the answers, we are drawing nearer to Christ.” -Kayla Craig

“Liturgy is prayers of the people.” -Kayla Craig

"When was Jesus ever comfortable? Why do we yearn for comfort?” -Latasha Morrison

Links:

If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. 

Ads:

Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:

Every Season Sacred book by Kayla Craig

To Light Their Way book by Kayla Craig

Liturgies for Parents Podcast

prayer for Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Ruby Bridges

A Prayer for Gun Violence in Schools

With book by Skye Jethani

A Prayer for Talking about Racism with Children

Connect with Kayla Craig:

Her Website

Instagram

Liturgies for Parents Instagram

Facebook

Threads

Connect with Be the Bridge:

Our Website

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Terry Wildman, whose ancestry includes Ojibwe from Ontario, Canada and Yaqui from Sonora, Mexico, is the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version. He serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. And in this episode, he shares the story behind how this beautiful translation came to be. 

Mariah Humphries, a citizen of Mvskoke Nation and on the team of Be the Bridge as the Director of Marketing and Innovation, adds insight, joy, and depth to this conversation. Terry, Mariah, and Latasha remind listeners Jesus is always on the side of the oppressed and that giving up culture, language, traditions is not a necessity in following Jesus.

In fact, Creator hears you, sees you, understands you, and delights in you as he created you. You can follow Jesus in the context of your culture.

We hope you’ll pick up a copy of the First Nations Version and learn from Indigenous brothers and sisters, not just around Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Heritage Month but throughout the year. 

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios

Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“There's so much beauty and there's so much good that Creator has put into our Native cultures that to see that disappear would be a terrible loss.” -Terry Wildman

“Being a Native Christian doesn't mean you have to compromise and assimilate into this other mindset. You can be truly who you were created to be and follow Creator in this beautiful way.” -Mariah Humphries

“A lot of people don't understand the influence of Western culture on the Bible, on tradition, on theology in what we have now.” -Latasha Morrison

Links:

If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. 

Ads:

Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:

Be the Bridge ICWA announcement Instagram video

Be the Bridge ICWA YouTube videoNative InterVarsityRain MinistriesThe Culture Is: Indigenous Women

OneBook Bible translationWould Jesus Eat Frybread?

Animated Video - Retelling the Good Story: A Day and a Night with Creator Sets Free

Animated Video - Water and Sand

Connect with Terry Wildman:

First Nations Version Website 

Twitter

FNV Instagram

FNV Facebook

Connect with Be the Bridge:

Our Website

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:

Facebook

Instagram

Threads

Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Public Speaker, Life Coach, and Human Rights Advocate, Dr. Eloise Sepeda joins Latasha Morrison to talk about how we can prevent cycles of oppression and marginalization. Her lived experience and research informs her work in Restorative-Transformative Justice. Dr. Eloise and Latasha talk about discipline in schools, developing empathy, and appreciating different perspectives.

Dr. Eloise was one of the members of Latasha’s first Be the Bridge group in Austin! You'll hear the years of friendship and co-laboring in the work of racial justice between them in this episode that celebrates reimagining, thinking critically, and embracing curiosity. They also remind us that this work is not hopeless. We can break systemic cycles with intervention. Healing has a ripple effect!

Dr. Eloise Sepeda will be joining us at our Leadership Summit in January 2024! 

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios

Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“Peacemaking involves disruption.” -Eloise Sepeda

“Justice is about being. It's not just about doing. We want to do justice, but we also want to be just.” -Latasha Morrison

“Let's not shove people into these boxes that systems have developed for them.” -Eloise Sepeda

Links:

If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. 

Ads:

Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Listen & subscribe to Raising Boys & Girls - https://tinyurl.com/RaisingBoysAndGirlsPodcastSign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:

Be the Bridge Guides and Training Material - Be the Bridge Academy

Be the Bridge Leadership Summit

Be the Bridge Groups

Harmony One Solutions

L.E.A.D. Center for Youth

Restorative Discipline Practices: A Journey in Implementation by a Community of Texas Educators book co-authored by Dr. Eloise Sepeda

Love Beyond Walls

Connect with Dr. Eloise Sepeda:

Her Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Connect with Be the Bridge:

Our Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

The Be the Bridge Academy is the online learning platform that inspires, equips, and partners with people and organizations through training, programs, webinars, and courses using Be the Bridge content and resources from reputable thought leaders and institutions.
There will be some free resources available in the BTB Academy as well as paid resources, with new racial literacy material added quarterly!
It will include courses on:

Be sure you're following us on social media so you can celebrate and share the launch with us! We hope you'll consider investing in your racial literacy through the Academy.

bethebridge.com/academy

Social Impact Leader, TBRI Practitioner, and Executive Director of The Nurture Place, Angela Gonzalez shares her story of being part of a local Be the Bridge group on this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast with Latasha Morrison during National Hispanic + Latine Heritage Month. They discuss how creating brave spaces allows people to share, learn, grow, and lament together. And Angela opens up about her personal shift of trying to be accepted in predominantly white institutions to accepting herself and her heritage.

Angela passionately talks about why we should all be trauma-informed and be community focused. And she also shares why it is important for people receiving mental healthcare to see therapists that look like them. You will hear a call for churches and faith leaders to refer people to mental health care professionals. Latasha and Angela discuss the obstacles they have to overcome being leaders who are women of color.

This is a conversation that shares the impact of local Be the Bridge groups and that will help break the stigmas surrounding mental health!

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios

Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“A lot of the other things around us will burn, but God's justice will always prevail.” -Latasha Morrison

“Instead of asking the question: what is wrong with you? We ask the question: what happened to you? And that is a more compassionate way of seeing the world.” -Angela Gonzalez

"Therapists can help us to heal and become the people that we are supposed to be." -Angela Gonzalez

"There's not one group of people that can represent the totality of who God is. It takes every nation and every tribe. And when we fight against diversity, we're fighting against the will of God. We're fighting against the essence of who God is." -Latasha Morrison

Links:

If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.

Ads:

Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Listen & subscribe to Raising Boys & Girls - https://tinyurl.com/RaisingBoysAndGirlsPodcast

Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter to be alerted when the Be the Bridge Academy launches on October 2nd!

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:

Trust-Based Relational Intervention

Connect with Angela Gonzalez:

Instagram

The Nurture Place Website

The Nurture Place Instagram

The Nurture Place Facebook

Connect with Be the Bridge:

Our Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Historian, Author, and Educator Jasmine Holmes joins Latasha Morrison on this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast to talk about her books, her Instagram classroom, and her own educational journey. They both share the crucial moments in their journeys of this work and how pivotal having a community of Black women has been to them.

Latasha touches on the trauma that comes from BIPOC not having pain recognized in church and not being seen or heard in predominantly white faith spaces. And together they lament the stronghold white supremacy has on the United States. They dive into the untold stories of Black missionaries and what voices are not highlighted in classical education.

As bridge builders, we can bring truth to the revisionist history happening and bring dignity to the stories often misrepresented. We can choose to lean into conversations like these and be educators and reconcilers in this current cultural climate.

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios

Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“We know that anti-woke is really anti-Black.” -Latasha Morrison

“Finding the faithful stories of Black Christians who've gone before became this really empowering experience for me, a very transformative experience.” -Jasmine Holmes

“We are fighting tooth and nail not to reckon with the national sin of white supremacy.” -Jasmine Holmes

“The gospel is for everyone. But we completely leave out entire people groups when it comes to the history of the church.” -Latasha Morrison

Links:

If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. 

Ads:

Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:

Carved in Ebony book by Jasmine Holmes

Mother to Son book by Jasmine Holmes

His Testimonies, My Heritage book edited by Kristie Anyabwile

Woke Homeschooling

Never Cast Out book by Jasmine Holmes

King Leopold’s Ghost book by Adam Hochschild 

Their Eyes were Watching God book by Zora Neale Hurston

Instagram post by Jasmine about Black teachers who fought revisionist history

Reading Everybody Black Challenge

Heritage Mom Blog on Instagram

Crowned with Glory book by Jasmine Holmes

Hidden Figures

Connect with Jasmine Holmes:

Her Website

Instagram

Connect with Be the Bridge:

Our Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

As students and teachers go back to school, we are also going back to school on the Be the Bridge Podcast with America’s Government Teacher Sharon McMahon! You might know Sharon from her Instagram account, SharonSaysSo, or from her Podcast, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting. Sharon’s mission of curating facts, fun, and inspiration by educating Americans on democracy, politics, and history was the perfect pairing with the podcast because we value truth-telling and we believe that understanding can move us toward racial healing, racial equity, and racial reconciliation. Together, we are equipping people with truth.

In this episode, we take things to the classroom. Sharon shares the foundations of what makes a democracy and how critical thinking is developed. She gives homework to be proactive participants in this democracy and to be anti-racist. And she gives empowering reminders that we cannot afford to lose hope and we all have a part to play in this historical moment in time.Listen in for education and encouragement. Let’s be a movement of bridge builders that choose principles over party and hope over everything.

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios
Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:
“If the problem seems too big and you feel overwhelmed, you need to make the problem smaller. You need to bring the problem down to a level that you feel that you can do even one thing about.” -Sharon McMahon

“Becoming educated on this topic is the foundation of being able to take action on it.” -Sharon McMahon“Racism has never led us to a destination worth going to.” -Sharon McMahon

“The work that we do is about politics, because politics is about people. It doesn't have to be partisan. We're making it partisan. It should be bipartisan.” -Latasha Morrison

Links:
If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.

Ads:
Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Connect with Sharon McMahon:
Her Website
Instagram
Facebook
Here’s Where It Gets Interesting Podcast

Connect with Be the Bridge:
Our Website
Facebook
Instagram

Connect with Latasha Morrison:
Facebook
Instagram

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Storyteller and public scholar, community activist and author Dr. Terence Lester invests his wealth of wisdom and stories from his own experience into the Be the Bridge community in this conversation with Latasha Morrison. Dr. Lester shares about his restorative work with Love Beyond Walls, a non-profit which is bringing true social change serving people who are experiencing homelessness in Atlanta and beyond. They talk about the disconnect the church in America has with seeing people on mission trips with dignity but not people in our own communities with that same dignity. And they have a vulnerable discussion around “the talk” that Black and Brown families in America have in their homes because of having to survive in and navigate this racialized society.

This episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast will remind you of the power one person can have in someone’s life and the power there is in truly seeing people. It also brings continued conviction that covering up history and removing access to information prevents healing, reconciliation, justice, and redemption. We hope this conversation will prompt you to allow your own historical shaping to be interrogated and empower you to be a person of peace. May the power of God at work in Dr. Lester’s life offer encouragement that God is at work in and around you as well.

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios
Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:
“There are a group of people in this world that feel forgotten, and how dare I, having experienced the grace of God, not pass along that same love and support to my neighbor?” -Dr. Terence Lester

“There's a major theological problem that we have as the body of Christ that allows us to get here where we would think that poverty and sickness equates to criminality.” -Latasha Morrison

“You’ve got to get proximate to be able to serve.” -Dr. Terence Lester

Links:
If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.

Ads:
Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources:
Love Beyond Walls Website
Dr. Terence Lester’s dissertation
Homesick Documentary by Dr. Terence Lester
I See You book by Dr. Terence Lester
When We Stand book by Dr. Terence Lester
All God’s Children book by Dr. Terence Lester

Connect with Dr. Terence Lester:
His Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

His Substack

Connect with Be the Bridge:
Our Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Connect with Latasha Morrison:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

In this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, host Latasha Morrison engages in a powerful discussion with Licensed Professional Counselor Dr. Chinwé Williams surrounding mental health. They talk through the collective trauma the world has endured and the racial trauma the BIPOC community endures. Dr. Chinwé shares about the benefits of somatic therapy, the need to foster emotional resilience in kids, and helpful tips for talkings with kids and teens about racism. Dr. Chinwé concludes the conversation with a word for the BIPOC community.

You will be empowered to be a mindful listener and to remain steadfast in the midst of struggles. You will feel validated and encouraged. And you will be reminded that there is always help and hope.

Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios
Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:
“Racial trauma is real. Racial trauma is any sort of race based stress, any sort of mental or emotional injury that's caused by racial bias.” -Dr. Chinwe Williams

“We have to pay attention to what's happening. And we do have to start talking to one another. We have to talk to our children.” -Latasha Morrison

“Being seen and heard is actually essential to healing.” -Dr. Chinwé Williams

Links:
If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.

Ads:
Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started]

Become a Donor of Be the Bridge

Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Resources Mentioned:
Seen book by Dr. Chinwé Williams and Will Hutcherson
Beyond the Spiral book by Dr. Chinwé Williams and Will Hutcherson
Five Ways to Help Children Build Emotional Resilience Instagram Post by Dr. Chinwé Williams
Four Tips for Talking to Kids and Teens about Racism and Social Unrest article by Dr. Chinwé Williams

Connect with Dr. Chinwé Williams:
Her Website
Facebook
Instagram

Connect with Be the Bridge:
Our Website
Facebook
Instagram

Connect with Latasha Morrison:
Facebook
Instagram

Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.