Hey everyone! Welcome back to Off Color. I'm your host, Rebekah Henderson, flying solo today because Sam is at THE OPERAAAAA.

I dropped this episode today—on a Sunday, like it's church if church started much later and they just let anyone yap at the pulpit!

With the election just two days away, I want to share what's on my mind. These past four years have been a struggle, and I've been reflecting on my documentary, Running with My Girls, and how it taught me the importance of every vote and every dollar. It's vital we participate and vote strategically to protect our rights and prevent harmful ideologies from taking over. Read into that what you will, dear listeners.

It meant something to me when Barack Obama was president, and it means something now to have Kamala Harris as a candidate—to be able to vote for a Black woman that I think can actually win is... wow.

I truly love you all for taking the time to listen to me blather about my rants. I love our community, the city we live in, and yes, I love our country. I don't want to see it divided more than it already is. So please, consider the impact of your vote and support candidates who will protect all of our rights and address our social needs. And don't forget those down-ballot races—they matter even more than you might think.

Look at Colorado—we're all blue, but we made Lauren Boebert our... okay, I'm going to stop harping on that.

Next Week's Episode:

Next week, we'll have an amazing interview with author Linda González. You can pick up her book, Mothering as a Legacy: Raising and Being Raised by My Twin Sons, and it'll be like a book club! You can listen to that episode after you read the book. You can get it at any of your local bookstores (ask them to order it for you) or on her website. Just give it a Google—one more time, the title is Mothering as a Legacy by Linda González.

Today's Guest:

Stay tuned right now, though, and listen to this impromptu chat I had with my friend and social media maven Parker McMullen Bushman, a.k.a. Kween Werk (that's K-W-E-E-N W-E-R-K). You don't want to miss it—it's real, it's honest.

Special Shout-Out:

A special shout-out to our patrons on Patreon! We love you so much. Whether you're millions or just one, we don't need to quibble over it.

Alright, let's get into it!

Episode Highlights:

• Mental Health Check-In: Rebekah and Parker discuss how they're really feeling amid the current political climate and the impact it's having on their mental health.

• The Importance of Voting: They emphasize the significance of every vote and discuss the implications of voting third party in this election.

• Social Media Struggles: Both share their challenges with social media—Rebekah hates posting and feels anxious about it, while Parker feels overwhelmed by the negativity and vitriol online.

• Supporting Each Other: They highlight the importance of reaching out to friends, having real conversations, and supporting one another during these unprecedented times.

• Rebekah's New Song: Rebekah shares a new song she composed, inspired by current events and a sign she saw in her neighborhood.

Links and Resources:

• Parker McMullen Bushman (Kween Werk):

  • Instagram: @kweenwerk
  • Website: kweenwerk.com
  • Tedx Talk! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjv3O2NSLrs

• Linda González:

  • Book: Mothering as a Legacy: Raising and Being Raised by My Twin Sons
  • Website: lindagonzalez.net

• Rebekah's Documentary:

  • Running with My Girls explores the challenges and triumphs of women of color running for office in Denver.
  • BROADCAST- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjv3O2NSLrs
  • DIRECTOR'S CUT-https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/running-my-girls?frontend=kui
  • HOST A SCREENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Learn more at runningwithmygirls.com

Call to Action:

• Vote! The election is just two days away. Please consider the impact of your vote and support candidates who will protect our rights and address our social needs. Don't forget about those down-ballot races—they matter more than you think!

• Check In On Friends: In these challenging times, reach out to your friends and loved ones. A simple call or message can make a big difference.

Support Off Color:

• Patreon: If you enjoy the show and want to support us, consider becoming a patron on Patreon. Your support helps us keep the conversation going.