Fierce Compassion

In this powerful season finale of Fierce Compassion, hosts Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton turn inward to reflect on the urgent questions facing us in these turbulent times: How do we stay human in the face of inhumanity? Where do we put our life energy? And what does fierce compassion look like when we’re stretched thin? With honesty, humor, and heart, Roxy and Sarah share personal stories of grief, resistance, and hope—exploring the importance of capacity, community, and choosing where to show up. Tune in for a deeply moving conversation that invites you to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to your own authentic contribution.

Episode Transcript

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: James Boutin

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we listen in on a powerful coaching conversation between Roxy and Savanah, who reflect on a painful rupture in a once-trusted relationship. Savanah shares what it was like to experience a microaggression from someone she thought was a close friend. Together, they unpack the layers of hurt, power, and self-doubt that followed—and what it might mean to speak up now, even after years of silence. Roxy offers gentle guidance as Savanah explores how to stay true to her values and reach for connection without losing herself.

Episode Transcript

Savanah is a thoughtful seeker and community member committed to living from the heart. With a background shaped by mindfulness practice and deep relational inquiry, she brings sensitivity to questions of authenticity, power, and belonging. Savanah’s journey has included navigating complex dynamics of class, race, and conditional love—both in her family and spiritual communities. Through storytelling and reflection, she invites us into the courageous work of self-trust, healing, and choosing relationships rooted in dignity and mutual respect.

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: James Boutin

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this special coaching episode of Fierce Compassion, Roxy and Prabha reflect on the challenges of engaging in hard conversations with presence and care. They explore how recognizing emotional responses and making space for dialogue can foster deeper understanding. Together, they examine the importance of holding grief, pausing when needed, and navigating conflicting strategies with intention. Through their reflections, they offer insights into when to engage, when to interrupt, and when to step back for support. Join us for this thoughtful discussion on authentic connection, wise action, and finding common ground even in challenging moments.

Episode Transcript

Our guest in this coaching episode is Prabha, an Indian-Australian psychologist and public health professional, who has worked in the areas of trauma and human rights for over 30 years. Prabha has spent much of her life adapting to different cultures. In this coaching call with Roxy, Prabha seeks support with the challenge of having an honest, meaningful conversations with a longtime friend who reacts differently to the genocide in Gaza than her —while still maintaining some sense of connection.

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: James Boutin

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this special episode of Fierce Compassion, we invite you into two deeply moving live coaching sessions with Sarah Peyton. First, we meet Ouida, who longs to show up authentically with her father and son, yet finds herself caught in patterns of silence shaped by childhood and generational agreements. Through Sarah’s resonant coaching, she begins to reclaim her voice. Then, Lara courageously explores an unsettling moment of implicit bias, tracing its roots to early social conditioning and systemic oppression. These conversations reveal the hidden contracts we carry—about power, belonging, and voice—and offer an opportunity for all of us to reflect, heal, and move toward greater freedom.

Episode Transcript

Our first guest in this coaching episode is Ouida Patten, a bi-cultural Black woman raised in the Southern United States. In this coaching call with Sarah Peyton, Ouida opens up about her journey of navigating generational patriarchy, breaking cycles of silence, and reclaiming her voice. With honesty and vulnerability, she and Sarah demonstrate how coaching can support deep self-inquiry, connection, and emotional liberation.

Our second guest is Lara, a white Mid-Atlantic American with Western European roots. In this powerful conversation, Lara reflects on how unconscious biases can take shape through early encounters with racial discrimination in school and then show up in unexpected moments throughout adulthood. With courage and introspection, she works with Sarah to unpack these internalized patterns, opening the door to greater awareness, accountability, and connection. 

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: James Boutin

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we welcome Shilpa Jain, former executive director of YES!, to explore the art of deep listening, conflict transformation, and participatory leadership. Shilpa shares how her upbringing in a tight-knit Jain community shaped her understanding of interdependence and belonging. We discuss how storytelling fosters connection across divides, the importance of co-creating spaces of healing, and the role of fractals in systemic change. With wisdom drawn from decades of community-building, Shilpa offers insights on navigating conflict with courage and compassion. Join us for a conversation on how small, intentional acts of connection can build a more just and loving world.

Transcript

Shilpa Jain is currently rooting herself in Oakland/Berkeley, CA. For 11+ years, she served as the Executive Director of YES!, working with social changemakers at the meeting point of internal, interpersonal and systemic change. Prior to taking on this role, Shilpa spent two years as the Education and Outreach Coordinator of Other Worlds and ten years as a learning activist with Shikshantar: The Peoples’ Institute for Rethinking Education and Development, based in Udaipur, India. She has facilitated dozens of transformative leadership gatherings with thousands of multigenerational leaders from over 50 countries. She is passionate about dance and music, organic and natural farming, upcycling and zero waste living, asking appreciative questions and being in community. A focus on healing, forgiveness, compassion, love and wholeness permeates all of her work and life. 

Follow Shilpa online:

Substack - https://shilpajain.substack.com/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shilpa.jain.3194/

Episode Mentions:

Dr Martin Luther King Jr

Bliss Browne

Appreciative Inquiry by David Cooperrider and Diana Whitney

Yes! Jams

Coumba Toure

Margaret J. Wheatley

Derrick Jensen

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: James Boutin

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we welcome Christine Saxman. Christine is a racial equity facilitator, coach, and co-author of Being White Today: A Road Map for a Positive Anti-Racist Life. Christine shares her journey from classroom teacher to a full-time anti-racism educator. We explore the role of self-compassion in navigating mistakes, the power of loving accountability, and the challenges of working with white people at different stages of racial awareness. Christine offers insights on embracing both/and thinking, breaking down white defensiveness, and fostering transformation without reinforcing shame. Join us for a nuanced, deeply reflective conversation on what it means to engage in anti-racism with courage and care.

Episode Transcript

Christine Saxman is the co-author of Being White Today: A Roadmap for a Positive Antiracist Life with Shelly Tochluk and the Western State Center’s Toolkit “Confronting Conspiracy Theories and Organized Bigotry at Home: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers” with Shelly Tochluk and Joanna Schroeder. Her racial justice work has been featured on NPR’s Life Kit and other shows.

A seasoned racial equity facilitator, coach, and consultant with twenty years of experience, she guides White people to transform into healthy antiracist change agents. She also co-facilitates interracially to help organizations to build cross-racial equity transformation into leadership. She can be found at christinesaxman.com.

Follow Christine online:

Episode Mentions:

bell hooks

Shelly Tochluk

Being White Today: A Roadmap for a Positive Antiracist Life

White Privilege Conference

SEED

SURJ

White Rage by Carol Anderson

Ismalis Nunez

NPR’s Life Kit

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: James Boutin

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, community leader Ben McBride shares his journey from experiencing both love and othering in his San Francisco upbringing to becoming a bridge-builder between divided communities. Drawing on his work with law enforcement, community violence intervention, and diverse faith communities, McBride offers a compelling vision for moving beyond political polarization through radical belonging. He explores how practicing self-compassion and genuine curiosity about those different from us can transform societal divisions, while offering practical wisdom for building bridges in our own communities. Join us for this timely conversation about choosing connection over division and co-creating a world where everyone belongs.

Episode Transcript

Ben McBride is a visionary leader of radical belonging. He is the Co-Founder of Empower Initiative, a leadership development firm that fosters belonging through immersive learning. Through his dedicated work as an internationally recognized peacemaker, faith leader, activist, and sought-after speaker, Ben uniquely develops strong leaders and builds dynamic cultures of empathy, allyship, and belonging.

Follow Ben McBride online:

Website: https://fosteringbelonging.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjmcbride/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialbenmcbride/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benjmcbride

Episode Mentions:

john a. powell

Jennifer Eberhardt and her book, Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice that Shapes What We See, Think, and Do

Valerie Kaur and her book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love

Empower Initiative

The Othering and Belongining Institute

Eyes on the Prize Documentary Series

I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King Jr

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, cultural geographer and storyteller Carolyn Finney illuminates the intricate relationship between race, nature, and belonging. Drawing from her journey from actor to environmental justice advocate, Finney explores how storytelling can bridge divides and create more inclusive understandings of nature. She challenges conventional narratives about outdoor spaces, emphasizing that nature exists beyond recreation and resource extraction. Through personal insights and scholarly wisdom, Finney demonstrates how vulnerability and authentic dialogue can transform our approach to environmental justice. Join us as we explore what it means to build Beloved Community—one that embraces all people and the natural world that surrounds us.

Episode Transcript

Carolyn Finney, PhD, is a cultural geographer, storyteller, and author focused on identity, difference, and environmental issues. Her work challenges representation in media and environmental organizations, exploring how privilege shapes environmental discourse. With a background in acting and extensive travel, Finney's unique perspective blends artistic and academic approaches. She's a Fulbright Scholar, former U.S. National Parks Advisory Board member, and author of "Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship between African Americans and the Great Outdoors." Finney's expertise spans media appearances, writing for major publications, and teaching at prestigious institutions - she is currently a scholar/artist-in-residence at Middlebury College. Currently working on a new book and performance piece, she continues to bridge gaps between race, land, and belonging in the United States.

Follow Carolyn online:

Episode mentions:

Alice Randall and "The Wind Done Gone” 

Anna Deavere Smith and "Twilight Los Angeles"

Bryan Stevenson

Cornel West

Carl Sagan

James Baldwin and Margaret Mead and "Rap on Race"

John Muir

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this episode of Fierce Compassion, we explore the transformative power of anti-racism work with Rainbow Markell, an educator whose journey spans decades of early childhood education and diversity training. From awkward fourth-grade moments to profound realizations about intergenerational trauma, Rainbow shares candid insights that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe tear up. She offers practical strategies for cultivating inclusivity, emphasizing self-compassion, curiosity, and the power of saying "yes" to growth. Join us for a heartwarming conversation that invites us to examine our biases, embrace vulnerability, and recognize our shared humanity. Discover how small actions—even a simple smile—can create ripples of change in ourselves and our communities.

Transcript coming soon!

As a facilitator, Rainbow Markell has worked with thousands of people in communication, anti-racism, DEIB, and trauma-informed care. Most of those people have been under the age of 5! As an Early Care and Education provider, Rainbow learned to implement Active Listening and the importance of social-emotional health for the children, and finds work with adults is surprisingly similar. As a white womon, Rainbow believes in saying yes to any opportunity that comes her way to be anti-racist, to unlearn bias, show compassion and make a difference in the world. It has only been recently that she has applied these concepts to herself.

Follow Rainbow online:

Episode Mentions:

 Embrace Race
Julie Kurtz and The Center for Optimal Brain Integration
The National Coalition Building Institute
Lee Mun Wah and StirFry
 Resmaa Menakem
 Tema Okun

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist

In this thought-provoking episode of Fierce Compassion, we are joined by Tiokasin Ghosthorse, a member of the Itazipcola and Mnicoujou Lakota of the Sakowin Oyate and the founder of First Voices Radio. Ghosthorse challenges our understanding of language, activism, and our relationship with the Earth, offering insights into Indigenous perspectives that transcend conventional Western thinking. He explores the concept of being "Earth Activators," rather than activists, emphasizing the need to shift from anthropocentric views to a more holistic, relational way of being. Ghosthorse's unique blend of traditional knowledge and contemporary insight invites listeners to reconsider their connection to the planet and each other, inspiring a deeper, more intuitive approach to compassion and environmental stewardship.

Transcript

Tiokasin Ghosthorse is a member of the Itazipcola and Mnicoujou Lakota of the Sakowin Oyate and draws upon the language, history, culture, philosophy, and traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere.  A survivor of the “Reign of Terror” from 1972 to 1976 on the Lakota Reservations in South Dakota and the US Bureau of Indian Affairs Boarding and Church Missionary School systems designed to “kill the Indian and save the man,” Tiokasin has a long history of Indigenous activism and advocacy. He spoke as a 15-year-old at the United Nations - Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Tiokasin was a 2016 Nominee for a Nobel Peace Prize from the International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy. Tiokasin is the Founder, Host, and Executive Producer of First Voices Radio syndicated to over 120 public, community, and commercial radio stations in the US and Canada. Additionally, he is a master musician known for performing worldwide in over 50 countries. Tiokasin is also a co-author of the forthcoming Earth Mind and published Butterfly Against the Wind. He describes himself as “a perfectly flawed human being” and is most importantly, a Sundancer in the cosmology of the Lakota Nation.

Follow Tiokasin online:

You can find more episodes and transcripts of Fierce Compassion at ⁠http://antiracistconversations.com/fierce-compassion-podcast⁠

Stay current with Roxy and Sarah's personal work at ⁠⁠https://roxannemanning.com/⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠https://sarahpeyton.com/⁠

Like this podcast? Leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends!

Podcast Manager: Talli Jackson

Audio Editor: Brendan Youngquist