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Book Bridges
Book Bridges episodes
- Why Can’t We? Beyond the Narrative: A Love Letter to Black Women (Pt. 2)
Lindsay and Markel Haralson discuss “Living in Your Purpose”: their artistic processes, and the beauty of imperfection. We also get to hear Lindsay reading from her book and her latest unpublished poetry.
Head to wordbridgenow.com to see a photo of this dynamic duo and the fabulous cover art of Why Can’t We? Beyond the Narrative: A Love Letter to Black Women.
Key Moments
00:01:55 - Profiles of Lindsay and Markel - Angie provides background on Lindsay and Markel, highlighting Lindsay's focus on Black womanhood and Markel's artistic journey and mission to empower through art.
00:03:29 - Upcoming Exhibition - Markel discusses their upcoming exhibition, which will feature art, poetry, and live music, focusing on the broader Black experience beyond stereotypes.
00:04:53 - Artistic Process -Markel describes his approach to painting, emphasizing the beauty in imperfection and his philosophy of finishing paintings within a few hours to capture the essence of the moment.
00:08:07 - Embracing Imperfection - Markel shares a lesson from his fifth-grade teacher about embracing imperfection and how it shapes his art and personal philosophy.
00:09:15 - Writing Process - Lindsay discusses her writing process, the challenges of writing under deadlines, and learning to trust what emerges from her initial drafts.
00:11:50 - The Concept of Surrender - Angie and Lindsay discuss the concept of surrender in the creative process, reframing it as a positive and necessary step in creating art.
00:14:26 - Dear Black Girl Reading - Lindsay reads a piece from their book, focusing on the theme of strength and challenging the stereotype of the strong Black woman.
00:23:06 - Loving One's Skin - Lindsay shares another reading about embracing her darker skin and the journey of overcoming internalized misconceptions.
00:28:16 - New Exhibit Piece -Lindsay introduces a new poem for their upcoming exhibit, reflecting on her personal experience and the broader implications of a Black boy's first haircut.
IG: @blackgirlwritesagain
IG: @markel_the_artist
IG: @wrestlingtheringpodcast
WORDBridge Now invites you to sit in on our interactive podcast recordings–to meet and to be inspired by diverse authors. It’s like a book club with the author! During our recording sessions, we get the inside scoop on powerful, diverse literature—breaking down barriers and uniting us across differences.
Get in touch at WORDBridge Now for the links to join us at our next recording session.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
37 min - Why Can’t We? Beyond the Narrative: A Love Letter to Black Women (Pt. 1)
Lindsay and Markel Haralson discuss “Living in Your Purpose,” claiming an artistic identity and pushing back against painful stereotypes. Their work aims to empower underrepresented voices and encourage self-love and artistic identity.
Head to wordbridgenow.com to see a photo of this dynamic duo and the fabulous cover art of Why Can’t We? Beyond the Narrative: A Love Letter to Black Women.
Key Moments
00:03:41 Lindsay and Markel's Artistic Journey
Markel shares his path as an artist and the influence of his move to Dayton, while Lindsay discusses her evolution as a writer and their collaborative process.
00:09:38 Inspiration Behind Collaboration
Markel's painting frenzy during the pandemic and Lindsay's thematic development of poetry for their exhibition.
00:18:07 Discussion on Identity and Purpose
Lindsay talks about the significance of the book's title "Why Can't We?" and the importance of claiming agency and identity.
00:28:15 Exhibition Experiences and Impact
Lindsay and Markel reflect on the emotional impact of their Wright State exhibit and the meaningful conversations it sparked among attendees.
00:23:57 Announcement of Upcoming Exhibition
Announcement of a new exhibition scheduled for January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Gallery 42 in Mason, Ohio.
IG: @blackgirlwritesagain
IG: @markel_the_artist
IG: @wrestlingtheringpodcast
WORDBridge Now invites you to sit in on our interactive podcast recordings–to meet and to be inspired by diverse authors. It’s like a book club with the author! During our recording sessions, we get the inside scoop on powerful, diverse literature—breaking down barriers and uniting us across differences.
Get in touch at WORDBridge Now for the links to join us at our next recording session.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
32 min - Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia: Compassion Across Faiths
Welcome to Book Bridges, the podcast of WORDBridge Now–igniting a passion for diverse literature through LIVE online author meet-ups–because WORDS build BRIDGES to UNITE. We are Teachers, Educators, and Authors Collaborating Against Hatred.
WORDBridge Now Members gather monthly online to meet and be inspired by diverse authors–it’s like a book club with the author! During our author meet-ups, we get the inside scoop on powerful, diverse literature—breaking down barriers and uniting us across differences.
This episode is just a taste of our full program with Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Executive Director of Religions for Peace, USA. He has won several awards for his work as a servant-leader in the interfaith movement for over two decades.
He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Parliament of the World’s Religions for 12 years as well as the North American Interfaith Network. He is also a founding trustee of the Sikh Council for Interfaith Relations and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Global Sikh Council. He currently also serves on the Board of Faith in Public Life and the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio.
In 2021, he published a book My Journey Home: Going Back to Lehnda Punjab based on a visit to his ancestral home in Pakistan more than 70 years after his grandparents left it in 1947.
In this episode, Dr. Butalia discusses the importance of honoring the holiness of the religious other.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
18 min - Insights from Holocaust Educator Greg Davis
Welcome to Book Bridges, the podcast of WORDBridge Now, igniting a passion for diverse literature through live online author meetups. Because words build bridges to unite, we are teachers, educators, and authors collaborating against hatred.
WORDBridge Now members gather monthly online to meet and to be inspired by diverse authors. It's like a book club with the author. During our author meetups, we get the inside scoop on powerful, diverse literature, breaking down barriers and uniting us across differences.
What's coming up is just a taste of our full program with teacher Greg Davis. Greg Davis has spent the last 22 years in high school and middle school classrooms and 15 years as a Holocaust educator, working to teach about this crucial subject in ways that are both responsible and effective. Greg values the opportunity to be part of the conversation about teaching the Holocaust and propaganda and has published articles in the Ohio Journal of English Language Arts and NCTE's Voices From The Middle.
A workshop by the Holocaust and Genocide Educators Network strongly impacted his approach to this subject. Greg says he's a big fan of WORDBridge and is honored to have a chance to speak about his work.
If you'd like to hear the full podcast with Greg Davis. You're in luck. Become a [email protected] for access to this extended conversation with Greg.
Join us in January 2024 live online to ask questions of your own as we talk with Tony Medina, author of the powerful Black Lives Matter graphic novel, I Am Alfonso Jones.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
21 min - Elizabeth Santiago, author of The Moonlit Vine
Dr. Elizabeth Santiago, author of The Moonlit Vine.
Ty starts to learn about her family’s Taíno culture when her abuela gives her some mysterious artifacts of tremendous importance–items that have been handed down for centuries! Ty–and all of us–learn about the real-life leaders and history of the Indigenous people of Puerto Rico.
Along the way, Ty must figure out how to help keep her brother safe from gang trouble. Fans of The Hate U Give will love The Moonlit Vine.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Lee & Low Books
WORDBridge Now
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
21 min - Nisi Shawl: Speculation & Inspiration
What’s coming up is just a taste of our full program with NISI SHAWL, author of Speculation. Curious, creative Winna wonders if magic has finally come into her life, and learns the powerful stories of her family’s past. Listen in for a treat as Nisi Shawl reads us some of their beautiful book, Speculation.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
18 min - Ruta Sepetys: Stories behind the Story
Ruta Sepetys shares the stories behind the story of I Must Betray You, a historical thriller about the Romanian revolution of 1989, and discusses her latest book, You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft through Memory.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
WORDBridge Now
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
18 min - Guadalupe García McCall, Echoes of Grace: Working toward Healing & Empowerment
WORDBridge Now Members gather monthly online to meet and to be inspired by diverse authors–it’s like a book club with the author!
What’s coming up is just a taste of our full program with Guadalupe García McCall, author of Echoes of Grace–blending the real, surreal, and supernatural through generational trauma and violence against women, which Grace experiences through “echoes.” Part mystery, part thriller, this book has the heart and nuances of Morrison’s Beloved.
If you wish you’d been here with Guadalupe to ask questions of your own during the full program, become a Member at wordbridgenow.com. Join the conversation with our upcoming authors.
Thanks again to Guadalupe García McCall, and to our partners at Lee & Low Books.
In the spirit of words as bridges, take care.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
15 min - A.M. Dassu, Author of Fight Back
A.M. Dassu discusses her book Fight Back and its real-world issues. After a devastating terrorist attack, Aaliyah decides to wear the hijab, and along with her friends, she chooses to fight back against injustice, discrimination, and the hate groups rising in her town.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
15 min - Lesléa Newman on Matthew Shepard's Impact
Lesléa Newman shares her experiences of the heinous 1998 murder of University of Wyoming college student Matthew Shephard, a gay young man. She reads her poetry from October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shephard. Q&A follows.
OCTOBER MOURNING: A SONG FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD. Copyright © 2012 by Lesléa Newman. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.
WORDBridge Now, LLC℠
Igniting a Passion for Diverse Literature
through Live Online Author Meet-Ups
Because WORDs build Bridges to Unite℠
Angie Beumer Johnson, Ph.D., Owner
Pronouns: she/her/hers
614-565-8553
Thanks to our partners at Lee & Low Books
About Everyone For Everyone
Copyright 2025 Angie Beumer Johnson
17 min
About Book Bridges
From the publisher's feed
Inspirational audio highlights from diverse young adult (YA) authors & speakers from WORDBridge Now (www.wordbridgenow.com) LIVE online T.E.A.C.H.* Enrichments--*Teachers, Educators, & Authors…
Collaborate against Hatred. WORDBridge Now: Igniting a passion for diverse literature through live online author meet-ups--because WORDS build BRIDGES to UNITE.