Trigger: motherhood and birth are briefly mentioned in this episode.

Our community has heart. The warm welcome and kind words that we’ve heard in response to the many incredible stories of pain, recovery and hope from our guests never fails to move us. We know that there is a lot of compassion in our audience, and strength to adapt and change.

The world took a breath at the senseless murder of George Floyd this summer. Some broke lockdown to express pain and many of us felt compelled to learn. We wanted to bring the Full Stop podcast into this conversation and use our channels to show support. We thought hard about how to do this. It’s so much more than a hashtag. We wanted to change with empathy. There was no question that us three white presenters would lead this episode but we had every confidence when we handed over the podcast to Yvonne John, friend to many and author of Dreaming of a Life Unlived.

You’ll hear a lot less of us talking but we’re there and we are learning with you. As Michael says in the introduction, some of the conversations may make you uncomfortable but we’re used to seeing that in others and how that feels, and we’re also well versed in empathy. We really hope you’ll get as much from this episode as we did.

Yvonne is joined by her guests Haneefah Muhammad, Krista Cooper PhD, LLMSW, Bindi Shah and Civilla Morgan and they’re talking about the impact of the murder of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter on them, how we all need to face up to change, and how childlessness and racism have affected their lives. We were also thrilled to have our first poetry reading on the podcast by Haneefah.

Our guests were keen to share resources with us, but you’ll hear a common theme in the episode. Education is down to the individual. We hope that you’ll find this episode part of your journey to understanding.

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

Natives: Races and Class in the Ruins on Empire by Akala

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi

Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Slay in your Lane by Elizabeth Uviebinené and Yomi Adegoke 

The Hate U Gave book and film by Angie Thomas

White spaces, Missing faces by Catrice M. Jackson

Nova Reid

The History Chicks

Thirteen 

Now They see Us 

Childish Gambio

Norman Rockwell ‘The problem we all live with’