In this episode of Critical Reads, we will be discussing Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God by Rev. Dr.  Kelly Brown Douglas. Here’s a brief summary of the book courtesy of the author/publisher: "On the Sunday morning after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer, black preachers across America addressed the questions his death raised for their communities: 'Where is the justice of God? What are we to hope for?' In this timely and compelling book, Kelly Brown Douglas examines the myths and narratives underlying a 'stand-your-ground' culture, taking seriously the social as well as the theological questions raised by this and similar events, from Ferguson, Missouri to Staten Island, New York. But the author also brings another significant interpretative lens to this text: that of a mother. She writes: 'There has been no story in the news that has troubled me more than that of Trayvon Martin’s slaying. President Obama said that if he had a son his son would look like Trayvon. I do have a son and he does look like Trayvon.' In the face of tragedy and indifference, Kelly Brown Douglas arms the truth of a black mother’s faith in these times of 'stand your ground.'”
This week's "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker" segment topic is the demonizing of Black spirituality.
To purchase the book, visit: Stand Your Ground via Amazon or Stand Your Ground via Orbis Books

Other sources mentioned in this episode include:

To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this episode of Critical Reads, me and my special guest, Dianne, will be discussing the Animated Comedy Film, Inside Out, written by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley. Here’s a brief summary of the movie courtesy of Pixar: "Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school."
This week's "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker" segment topic is What Actors Would You Cast as the Little Emotions Inside of Your Head? Followed by Name Your Islands of Personality.
To watch Inside Out, login to Disney Plus or you can rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and other streaming platforms. Movie extras can be found here.
To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this episode of Critical Reads, we will be discussing Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You by Dr. Henry Cloud. Here’s a brief summary of the book courtesy of the author/publisher: "Many of us struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy. We know that God created us in his image, but how can we be loving when we feel burned out? How can we be free when we struggle with addiction? Will we ever enjoy the complete healing God promises? Combining his professional expertise and personal experience, renowned psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud guides us through four basic ways to become joy-filled, mature followers of Christ: 1) Connect more deeply with others, 2) Separate from others in healthy ways, 3) Understand the good and the bad in ourselves and others, and 4) Grow into greater emotional and spiritual maturity. With fascinating case studies and helpful techniques we can start using immediately, Changes That Heal reminds us that God promises to complete his good work in us."
This week's "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker" segment topic is COVID 19 and navigating working in healthcare.
To purchase the book, visit: Changes That Heal via Amazon

To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this episode of Critical Reads, we will be discussing The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology by Sheila Briggs and Mary McClintock Fulkerson. Here’s a brief summary of the book courtesy of the author/publisher: "This innovative volume highlights the relevance of globalization and the insights of gender studies and religious studies for feminist theology. Beginning with a discussion of the position of the discipline at the turn of the twenty-first century, the handbook seeks to present an inclusive account of feminist theology in the early twenty-first century that acknowledges the reflection of women on religion beyond the global North and its forms of Christianity. Globalization is taken as the central theme, as the foremost characteristic of the context in which we do feminist theology today. The volume traces the impacts of globalization on gender and religion in specific geographical contexts, describing the implications for feminist theological thinking. A final section explores the changing contents of the field, moving towards new models of theology, distinct from both the structure and language of traditional Christian systematic theology and the forms of secular feminism."
This week's "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker" segment topic is a quote found from Twitter about heaven written/shared by Ogbeni Demola.
To purchase the book, visit: The Oxford Handbook of Feminist Theology via Amazon

Other sources mentioned in this episode include:

10 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching by the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace 

How Early Suffragists Left Black Women Out of Their Fight by Becky Little 

When the Suffrage Movement Sold Out to White Supremacy by Brent Staples

White Supremacy and the Suffrage Movement by Women at the Center 

What Is: Womanism by Kat Blaque

To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this episode of Critical Reads, we will be discussing Dimensions of Social Welfare Policy by Neil Gilbert and Paul Terrell. Here’s a brief summary of the book courtesy of the author/publisher: "Dimensions of Social Welfare Policy provides a comprehensive and widely-used framework for analyzing social welfare policies.  The text encourages readers to develop their own thoughts on social welfare policy and to explore policy alternatives. Theoretical points are illustrated with examples from a cross-section of program areas including income maintenance, child welfare, model cities, daycare, community action, and mental health. The text familiarizes students with the content of major social welfare programs such as TANF, OASDHI, SSI, and Title XX.
Learning Goals

This week's "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker" segment topic is Compassion Fatigue.
To purchase the book, visit: Dimensions of Social Welfare Policy via Amazon

Other sources mentioned in this episode include:

Compassion Fatigue: Symptoms to Look For by Dan Brennan

Equity vs. Equality: What’s the Difference? by the Milken Institute School of Public Health

New Deal by History.com Editors

Social Welfare System by Julia Kagan

What Is Direct Practice in Social Work? by the University of Texas 

To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this episode of Critical Reads, we will be discussing God Space: Where Spiritual Conversations Happen Naturally by Doug Pollock. Here’s a brief summary of the book courtesy of the author/publisher: "In God Space Doug Pollock shows you how the Holy Spirit can do amazing things through ordinary everyday conversations. You'll find fresh insights and practical tools for connecting with others when you read about the real-life stories of how ordinary people learned to engage others in rich spiritual dialogue that open doors instead of slamming them shut. Let Doug Pollock show you how to be a natural voice for the way of Christ!"
I will also be continuing my segment entitled, "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker," where I will be reflecting on an interesting topic or thing that caught my attention during the week. This episode's topic is "The Sin of Empathy."
To purchase the book, visit: God Space via godsgps.com or God Space via Amazon

Other sources mentioned in this episode include:

Have you heard the one about empathy being a sin? by Mark Wingfield

Is Sympathy Better Than Empathy? by Rohini Radhakrishnan, ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon

Killing Them Softly: Compassion That Warms Satan’s Heart by Joe Rigney 

Romans 12:9-21 (English Standard Version)

The Enticing Sin of Empathy: How Satan Corrupts Through Compassion by Joe Rigney 

To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this episode of Critical Reads, we will be discussing The Deconstructionists Playbook edited by Crystal Cheatham and Theresa Ta. Here’s a brief summary of the book courtesy of the author/publisher: 
"The Deconstructionists Playbook comprises selections from devotionals that have been published by Our Bible App in the last few years. In 2017, Crystal Cheatham set out to create a mobile Bible app where users could read devotionals concerned about topics outside the norm for traditional Christian publishing. These devotionals are explicitly queer-affirming, anti-racist, pro-feminism, and encouraging of interfaith inclusion. Today, the app has published hundreds of devotionals while bringing together a once fragmented community of spiritual wanderers.
This devotional anthology is meant to guide you through a journey of faith deconstruction, reconstruction, and liberation. Our authors are concerned with naming and dismantling oppressive systems and beliefs—especially when it comes from within the Church.
With the chorus of some 60+ authors, journey through this anthology of devotions. Come celebrate this epic churning of faith through the deconstruction of our religion, the reconstruction of faith elements centered on justice and solidarity, and the application of liberation theology to dismantle white supremacy and patriarchy. By taking part in this uniting of ideas, you will find yourself in a movement of radical inclusion and love, while finding God in mysterious places."
I am also introducing a segment I am calling "Musings of Tired Black Social Worker" where I will be reflecting on an interesting topic or thing that caught my attention during the week. This episode's topic is the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse.
To purchase this week's book, visit: Deconstructionists Playbook via Our Bible App or Deconstructionists Playbook via Amazon 
To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or to consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

In this first episode, I will be sharing a little bit about Critical Read's backstory. Before we dive into the different resources I have planned, I wanted to use one episode to introduce myself and give you general information about how each episode will be formatted. Please think of this episode as a group contract between you (the listener) and me! In addition to explaining the show's layout, I plan to go over essential definitions associated with Critical Reads and some basic assumptions, aka things that I am asking you to assume to be part of our Critical Reads group.

To check out the CR podcast content calendar, visit: https://soulsessionswithneph.com/critical-reads-podcast

To find out more about me or consume more of my content, visit soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook using the handle @soulsessionswithneph, or email me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your time and support! 

Welcome to the Critical Reads Podcast with Neph Lesperance! Critical Reads is a podcast designed to help you deconstruct cultural norms one resource at a time. Each week, I invite you to reflect on books, articles, and other resources that not only interest her but can also be used to help people critically analyze different aspects of society. Tune in as Neph grapples with topics and themes that drive most people to the place of insanity. 
To learn more or get updates about my content, please feel free to visit my website soulsessionswithneph.com. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram, @soulsessionswithneph!

Special shout out to Alison Knowlton Mason owner of Lilacs on York Creative Studios for designing our super dope podcast cover! I am really looking forward to diving into these resources with you soon.