Being Social Justice: The Spirituality and Social Justice Podcast

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Dana Stachowiak, Director of Women’s Studies and Resource Center and Associate Professor at University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Dr. Stachowiak provides listeners a critical approach to grappling with gender justice, oppression, and liberation. Throughout this episode Dr. Stachowiak invites listeners to consider how the use of mindfulness helps to hold resistance and discomfort in effective ways that lead towards pathways of persistence. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Stachowiak's work, please use this email address: [email protected]. 

Help Dr. Valin S. Jordan, Founder of Yoga4SocialJustice® and the host and producer of this podcast celebrate Yoga4SocialJustice® third birthday by attending to the urgent call of caring for and seeing your neighbor. We are in need of a radical reimagining, listen to this episode to hear the short request. Contact Dr. Jordan with your podcast suggestions or questions at [email protected].

This episode is about Black freedom! Nothing more, nothing less. Contact me at [email protected] or on Instagram at @yoga4socialjustice.

In this episode I talk with Reginald Lemelle, Licensed Professional Counselor about his work as a crisis counselor, historical trauma, impacts of racism on mental health and overall wellbeing, and the power of our ancestors to healing. Reginald Lemelle is a counselor in Southwest Louisiana and can be contacted via email at [email protected] or Instagram @reginald_w_lemelle. 

Six Black women will engaged in a thought provoking and critical conversation about radical self-care. They shared their truths about the importance of self-care in their lives as they navigate their intersectional experiences out in the world. This conversation is for everyone. Come learn from these badass women about their radical self-care practices. Dr. Valin S. Jordan, Founder of Yoga4SocialJustice® and host of this podcast moderated this conversation.

Listen in to this candid conversation on mental health from three Licensed Clinical Social Workers and a Post-graduate student. This conversation was moderated by Dr. Valin S. Jordan, Founder of Yoga4SocialJustice®. During this conversation the licensed counselors spoke about concerns of grief, resilience, mental health care and support for children, mental health stigma in Communities of Color and the increased need for mental health support for marginalized communities (Communities of Color, disabled populations, veterans, and 2SLGBTQIAP+).

Emma Arnoff, LCSW: Owner of The Sensory Space. At The Sensory Space children are able to use sensory supports while participating in play therapy and psychotherapy. Emma uses strength based and person centered approaches that help her meet clients where they are.

Domonique Garret, LCSW and Registered Play Therapist: She specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and expecting mothers. Domonique has extensive experience in a variety of evidence-based treatments and utilizes a person-centered approach in her sessions.

Diane Martori, LCSW: She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings throughout her career. She owns a private practice where she provides therapy to individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma. She utilizes both mind and body practices in her work, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Sylvia Lillehoj Oh: Sylvia is a postgraduate student at Rutgers University School of Social Work. She plans to use her training from Rutgers to facilitate individual and group art therapy sessions for mothers with mental health struggles (such as postpartum depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, etc.). These sessions will integrate art making and talk therapy with the potential of fostering self-esteem and reducing conflicts and distress.

The Wellness Well was held via Zoom on Saturday, May 15, 2021. This conversation was moderated by Dr. Valin S. Jordan, Founder of Yoga4SocialJustice®. This was a unique conversation focused about all things wellness, including how to do we create equitable access to wellness resources and opportunities. Each of the panelists can be found on Instagram if you would like to continue the conversation with them. 

Janae Holmes and Kelly Boudreaux own Free to Be Power Yoga Studios in New Orleans. These studios are committed to REAL equitable and inclusive practices. As owners Janae and Kelly emphasized the critical need for social justice understanding as part yoga instruction. @freetobepoweryoga @freetobejanae @kelly_boudreaux 

Diane Martori, LCSW is a cognitive behavioral therapist and 500 hour registered yoga instructor. She specializes in the use of mindfulness practices to guide clients through trauma, including intergenerational trauma. @dmartori @therapywithdiane 

Aja Campbell is certified strength and conditioning coach who founded and owns a company called ATTAGIRL. Through ATTAGIRL she is committed to supporting all womxn in reclaiming their badassery, more than that as a Woman of Color she is committed to empowering BIPOC womxn to harness their physical strength in a way that leads towards confident navigation of marginalizing structures. @ajacampbell21 @attagirl.ny 

Nikky Scott,RN  is an Assistant Professor of nursing practice at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge. Nikky is a 200 hr registered yoga instructor and is  100 hr certified in trauma informed yoga. Nikki is committed to the wellness of marginalized communities, including housing insecure communities in Baton Rouge and through her non-profit she provides healthcare to those who do not have ready access. @nikkyscottinc @yoganoirproject @onebreathproject 

This is part of my episode with Dr. Sabrina Strings, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Irvine. This episode is filled with so much Black woman joy; I invite you to listen to this episode as we discuss change, liberation, and the need for community. Dr. Strings states, "Oftentimes change is felt in the body", this quote along with many other gems dropped throughout this episode are certainly worth taking time to reflect on. 

In this episode I interview Dr. Sabrina Strings, Associate Professor of Sociology at UC Irvine and the author of the award winning book Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia. This episode was recorded May 13, 2020, two weeks before the murder of George Floyd and weeks ahead of America's public reckoning with racism. This interview is everything you need to listen to as we all continue to grapple with racial injustice in America and abroad. 

In this episode listeners are asked to consider the deepest wound all of humanity is carrying around that has prevented us from rising. As you listen to this episode, reflect on what it might take to begin healing this one deep wound we all have. Send you your comments or questions to   Dr. Valin S. Jordan at [email protected]