Be the Bridge Podcast

At Be the Bridge Podcast, we intentionally interview bridge builders doing incredible work all year long. And it just so happens that we are highlighting an interview Be the Bridge founder and our host, Latasha Morrison, had with Pastor Raymond Chang as we welcome in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month. They have an important conversation surrounding breaking the stigmas of mental health, discipling students, and acknowledging history.

Latasha and Raymond talk about a life-changing trip he took called the Reclaim Trip, where he and others with the Asian American Christian Collaborative toured historical Asian American Civil Rights sites in California. It was a trip that fostered remembering history and reclaiming identity. And he and Latasha even dream up an incredible opportunity for the Be the Bridge community. We are all connected; and gaining historical context helps us better understand, empathize, and lead in the church and in the culture.

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

Quotes:
“It's like most people don't see how the discipleship that many of us have inherited is actually a discipleship into deformation instead of a formation into Christ.” -Raymond Chang

“I don't think that you can fully understand how heinous white supremacy is until you see how it has affected the African American community, how it's affected and manifests within the Indigenous population, within the Asian American population, and the Latino population.” -Raymond Chang

“Understanding that history helps us move forward today in more solidarity.” -Latasha Morrison

“The more you understand the problem, the more you're able to actually concoct a solution, or at least be a faithful presence to try to be one.” -Raymond Chang

Links:
Asian American Christian Collaborative
TENx10 Collaboration
Epic Movement - Community of CRU for Asian Americans
Manzanar

Connect with Raymond Chang:
His Website
Instagram
Twitter

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.

Beloved Bible teacher and best selling author, Beth Moore, joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, once again on the podcast. They discuss her new memoir: All My Knotted Up Life and some of the stories she shares in it of growing up in racialized settings in Arkansas and Texas. They lament how we find ourselves in a time of being unable to reason together and of people looking away from injustice. Latasha and Beth agree on the need to know definitions in the language surrounding racial justice, that it is good and right to always be learning, and that remembering is a sacred act. They laugh together and share wisdom together. Beth is living proof of humble leadership and dedicated companionship. 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

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

Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:

“We know that beauty is going to come from the ashes, but the ashes are just so hot at times.”  -Latasha Morrison

“How long, Lord? When will lives be more important than sides?” -Beth Moore

“You don't have to worry that God's just taking this side or he's taking that side. He's just taking over.” -Beth Moore

“I want to be a companion to those who have been mistreated.” -Beth Moore

Links:

All My Knotted Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore

Connect with Beth Moore:

Her Website

Facebook 

Instagram

Twitter

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.

Find the full episode transcript here.

As a faith leader and activist, Michelle Ferrigno Warren understands the power of proximity and of holding stories with honor and dignity. In this powerful episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast with founder and host Latasha Morrison, she and Latasha talk about God’s heart for justice, the lack of mercy immigrants are met with crossing the border, and the bad shape of the witness of the American Church.Michelle shares about her personal journey in Italy of seeing the empire on display at the Colosseum. And you do not want to miss their discussion of the upside down Kingdom of God as they exegete Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25. This is the perfect conversation for the Be the Bridge community the week of Easter. May we join Jesus and the prophets in the work of resistance, in the work of being disruptors, in the work of granting life and peace.

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

Quotes:
“Advocacy is not mission drift for the church. It's the work of the Church.”  -Michelle Ferrigno Warren

“I can never unsee and unhear the stories.” -Latasha Morrison

“I lament the reality of injustice in a country that says that they want to be defined as liberty and justice for all.” -Michelle Ferrigno Warren

Links:
Virago Strategies
Open Door Ministries
Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)
National Immigration Forum
The Power of Proximity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action book By Michelle Ferrigno Warren
Join the Resistance: Step into the Good Work of Kingdom Justice book by Michelle Ferrigno Warren
Women of Welcome
Women of Welcome “Who is Welcome Here?” documentary
God’s Long Summer book
Prayer of Oscar Romero

Connect with Michelle Ferrigno Warren:
Her Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

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.

Find the full episode transcript here.

The NAACP Image Award-winning author, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, for a profound conversation this Women’s History Month. Listeners get the honor of hearing Tracey talk about the sacred relationship of Black women and the women who have personally impacted her. There is beauty and depth, wisdom and vulnerability in Tracey’s story and words. Latasha and Tracey discuss what it looks like to work faithfully without recognition and the words of Jesus in John 5 about being made well as it relates to racial trauma. You’ll be challenged to find what brings you joy and to guard it. And you’ll be encouraged that joy can coexist with sorrow and anger. Listen in to hear the other “L” that Tracey adds to Listen, Learn, and Leverage. Then, head to our social media profiles to discuss this episode with the Be the Bridge community.

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

Quotes:
“I always say that Black folks are the ultimate alchemists. We have learned how to transform pain.” -Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts

“There are people that will get it and some people who won't. And if I'm so worried about the people who won't get it, the people who are here will get overlooked. It's in Matthew where it says you sometimes just gotta shake the dust off your sandals. We're gonna shake the dust off our Jordans and keep it moving.” -Latasha Morrison

“Joy is teaching me to hope.” -Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts

Links:
Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration 

book by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
Then They Came for Mine: Healing from the Trauma of Racial Violence 

book by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
HeARTtalk with Tracey Michae’l 

Podcast
HeArtspace: A Newsletter for Our Healing Journeys by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts

Connect with Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
Her Website
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

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.

For Women’s History Month, we present a conversation full of the hurts and joys, laments and hopes of a sacred Black story. Marcie Alvis Walker, the woman behind the popular Instagram account Black Coffee with White Friends, joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, for a dynamic conversation. They discuss being Black in predominantly white settings, the white backlash that comes after Black gain, and the effects of generational trauma. They dive into the beauty of mercy and what true integration means. You won’t want to miss Marcie’s words about the Asbury revival and the time of Moses in the wilderness.

This conversation will be beneficial to all listeners. And Latasha brings a great reminder for white listeners: “It's an honor when we invite you into these sacred conversations. When we invite you into our pain and our stories, and a lot of times that's for you to listen, and to ask yourself - ‘What is God trying to say to me in this?’ ‘What is God speaking?’ ‘What am I missing?’” 

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

Quotes:
“It's really important for us to see that it's not about what the room looks like. It's about what our humanity looks like in that room.” -Marcie Alvis Walker

“I believe that what was happening in 2020 was part of revival.” -Latasha Morrison

“It's one thing to be made equal; it's another thing to be treated equal. It's one thing to be made equal, and then treated equal; it's another thing to have equity. It's one thing to be made equal, treated equal, have equity; but it's a whole nother thing to have retribution and reparations and reconciliation - all which are biblical.” -Marcie Alvis Walker

“When you're able to connect culturally it's just a beautiful thing.” -Latasha Morrison 

Connect with Marcie Alvis Walker:
Her Website
Instagram
Twitter
Black Eyed Stories Substack
Preorder Everybody Come Alive: A Memoir in Essays book by Marcie Alvis Walker

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

Hello Be the Bridge listeners! My name is Lauren C. Brown. I am the Senior Producer of this amazing podcast. Today I get a chance to come from behind the scenes to share with you some pretty exciting news. But before I do that, I would like to first say thank you for subscribing and downloading this wonderful resource. We appreciate you so very much! So now fasten your seat belts. Are you ready? I'm pretty excited. Coming in March, we would like to announce the BTB Academy! A new way to access material, courses. It's coming March 1st! Yes, it's pretty exciting! The Be the Bridge Academy is the online learning platform to inspire, equip, and partner with people and organizations through training programs, webinars, and courses. Using the Be the Bridge content and resources from reputable thought leaders and institutions. Choose courses that fit your current knowledge and experience, and work through curriculum that will help you become equipped and empowered in your racial literacy journey. So be on the lookout for more details on all of our social media platforms. We appreciate you and we will see you soon. Take care!

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As one of the founding pastors of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta and a co-founder of Portrait Coffee, John Onwuchekwa knows how to humbly lead and how to nurture a holistic vision of community. In this episode, John and host Latasha Morrison discuss the history of the West End of Atlanta and the example of redlining as systemic racism. They talk about the importance of creating new narratives through opportunities and perspectives. They both share stories of personal grief and how that impacts the work they do. John’s insights into business and community development, Ecclesiastes, and joyful perseverance will bring encouragement and hope. 

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison

Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown

Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts

Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Quotes:
“Some people are called to start the work. And then there's others that are called to finish it, to take it on to the next level.” -Latasha Morrison

“Maybe even through the bitterness of life, there's ways to find hope and joy and perseverance.” -John Onwuchekwa

“Where do we go from here? We just take the very next step. And then once we get to that next step where both feet are firmly planted, we ask and answer that same question.” -John Onwuchekwa

Terms:
Redlining - the discriminatory practice in the United States that began in the 1930s of the government outlining certain geographic areas based upon race or ethnicity in order to deny services (both directly and indirectly) such as loans or insurance to someone because they were deemed to be a high financial risk; an inequitable and unjust practice that predominantly affected Black AmericansConnect with 

John Onwuchekwa:
His Website
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn

Connect with Be the Bridge:
Our Website
Facebook
Instagram

Connect with Latasha Morrison:
Facebook
Instagram

We welcome in Black History Month with an episode from the Be the Bridge team! Sean Watkins, Kaylee Morgan, and Mariah Humphries join Latasha Morrison to talk about all things Black History Month because Black history is American history and Black History Month is for all people. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of February as Black History Month or why histories are separated in the American education system, you don’t want to miss this conversation. If you want space to feel seen and heard as a Black person during this month, you don’t want to miss this conversation.The Be the Bridge team provides listeners with depth, laughter, and things to lament and celebrate. They give personal stories of what Black history means to them and they give recommended resources and lessons to walk away with. Be encouraged that it is never too late to learn. The incredible Black history many of us missed out on growing up can be redeemed now in how we listen, learn, lament, and leverage our lives. May we work together to make sure the full story is told. May we celebrate the beauty and the resilience of the Black community this month and every month.

Links:
Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge
Shop the Be the Bridge Store

Recommendations:
The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson
Dr. Brittney Cooper
Eloquent Rage by Dr. Brittney Cooper
Elizabeth Eckford picture on first day of school
The Charles H Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit 

Connect with Kaylee Morgan
Connect with Sean Watkins
Connect with Mariah Humphries 

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.

Why do politics matter? Why should Christians be engaged in politics? Is social justice compatible with the gospel? Pastor Eugene Cho joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host Latasha Morrison on this episode to discuss these questions and more. He brings wise insight into faithful living in this time. You’ll be pastored and encouraged by the words and work of Pastor Cho. He and Latasha remind us that even now Jesus is moving and working.

Quotes:
“Here's the most simple reason why I believe politics matter: politics influences policies that ultimately impact people.” -Eugene Cho

“Sociologists are telling us that political identity is growing to become the most dominant way in which we see ourselves in the world. And I think to myself, that's idolatry.” -Eugene Cho

“You cannot love your neighbors if you don't know your neighbors.” -Eugene Cho

Links:
Connect with Eugene Cho:
His Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Bread for the World

Connect with Be the Bridge:
Our Website
Facebook
Instagram

Connect with Latasha Morrison:
Facebook
Instagram

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

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

In the midst of so much tragedy and so much to lament after recent times of white supremacy raging through racial terrorism and gun massacres, Latasha Morrison spoke with trauma therapist Dr. Anita Phillips for a timely and needed word. Dr. Anita shares about the importance of singing together, of physical touch, and of living sacrificially as a follower of Jesus. She dives deep into God’s design of emotions and the connection between our hearts and brains. This episode is filled with Dr. Anita’s pastoral voice as she invites us into a better understanding of how God created us to feel and to live.

Quotes:
“With everything that we have going on from some of the police violence with Black and Brown brothers and sisters, from Buffalo, to Texas, it's just all really too much to bear. I cannot understand how to do this apart from Christ.”  -Latasha Morrison

“Our mental health, our relational health, our spiritual health is being undermined by how uncomfortable we are and how inarticulate we are and inadequate we are with emotion.” -Dr. Anita Phillips

“When I'm watching Jesus, I see Jesus expressing emotion freely and often with words and with his body.” -Dr. Anita Phillips

Links:
Connect with Dr. Anita Phillips:
Her Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter

Connect with Be the Bridge:
Our Website
Facebook
Instagram

Connect with Latasha Morrison:
Facebook
Instagram

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

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