On this episode of Rhian's Hope, I am finally talking to Chad Joseph Songy, founder of many things, but most relevant to this episode, Zebra Crossing Adventures.  

We start with doldrums of 9 to 5 life, and move on to his experience as a white male, his efforts to have important conversations about equality across the world, his goals in launching Zebra Crossing Adventures, and the work and effort it has taken him to get him to this point. 

Chad flips the script on me a few times and really gets me thinking about the adjectives and who I'd nominate to have this experience.

Zebra Crossing Adventures on Instagram

Zebra Crossing Adventures on YouTube

Finally, Chad and Greg both highly recommend this documentary series from Vox: https://www.vox.com/a/borders

Please excuse some of the glitches at the end of our interview. 

On this episode of Rhian's Hope, I'm continuing a really enlightening conversation with Ricky Marais and Greg Andrews. Kick things off with Greg's origin story and hear more about the work Ricky and Greg have done/are doing all over Cape Town with Street Scapes, Zebra Crossing Adventures, and Crossings Travel. 

Key takeaways:
Look at people as people.
Put your pride in your pocket.
The one thing everyone needs on this planet: acceptance.
Prejudice + Power = Racism. 

Ricky's page on Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/132803345

Sustainable Giving Homes on Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15866635?s=51 

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

On this episode of Rhian's Hope, I'm starting the conversation with Ricky and Greg, two incredibly intelligent and caring men from Cape Town, South Africa who are working throughout the region to help those who need it most. 

Ricky shares his story of growing up in Apartheid-Era South Africa, meeting and marrying his wife, and overcoming prejudices he learned in his childhood to form friendships with Greg, and later, Chad.

Ricky's page on Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/132803345

Sustainable Giving Homes on Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15866635?s=51 

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

On this episode of Rhian's Hope, I'm talking with Caleb Young, Director and Filmmaker, who I first met while preparing for my Zebra Crossing Adventure last year. 

We talked about Caleb's foray into creating, the film he made that we'll never see, leaving a toxic workplace, and what I call his deliberate/intentional approach to life.

He's also working on a documentary, What About the Brain?, that is tracking how modern foods, designed and marketed for profit rather than our biology, are literally shrinking our brains. 

Support What About the Brain on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keepitcinematic/what-about-the-brain

Watch Out of Balance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-Ss5MCRKU 

Happy Valentime's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXMv6A3mKVA  

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

On this episode, I'm chatting with Jen Larrick, soccer player, soccer coach, and co-founder of Like A Girl, an organization that works predominantly with girls from immigrant and refugee families, girls of color, and/or low-income situations and focuses on providing playing environments, college showcases and ID camps for these girls that aren't able to participate in the current mainstream "organized soccer" that many of their peers play.  

Throughout our conversation, Jen shares a lot about the journey soccer has taken her on in understanding others and her own "otherness".

This conversation is an excellent exploration of how sports have the power to be uplifting and transformative - with the right intentions.

Check out Like A Girl online:
iamlikeagirl.com
facebook.com/areyoulikeagirl
instagram.com/areyoulikeagirl/
twitter.com/areyoulikeagirl/

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

On this episode, I'm talking about with Mbye Njie, Founder of Legal Equalizer, an app created to educate citizens about their rights during interactions with law enforcement. 

We explore "the talk" he had with his parents, the experiences that inspired him to launch the app, and how he hopes to expand the app to hold the entire legal system accountable. 

Download Legal Equalizer:
Apple iTunes
Google Play

Follow Legal Equalizer online:
legaleqapp.com
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

On this episode of Rhian's Hope, I was supposed to talk with Danielle Williams, about her experience as a skydiver, and as a founder of two organizations that promote diversity in outdoor adventure sports and highlight adventure athletes of color - Team Blackstar and Melanin Base Camp. And we did! But I spent the first half of our conversation discussing her career as a woman of color in the US Army.

Check out Melanin Base Camp online:
melaninbasecamp.com
instagram.com/melaninbasecamp

And Team Blackstar:
teamblackstar.com

And some organizations Danielle has partnered with:
instagram.com/browngirlsclimb
instagram.com/brownpeoplecamping
instagram.com/theblackoutdoors
instagram.com/unlikelyhikers
instagram.com/outdoorafro
instagram.com/projectdiversifyoutdoors ; diversifyoutdoors.com

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

On this episode of Rhian's Hope I'm talking with Sabrina Thompson Aerospace Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and modern-day Katherine Johnson [woman portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in Hidden Figures]. 

She shares her journey from high school valedictorian with an undetermined path, to walk on athlete and engineering student at Stony Brook University, moving on to earn a graduate degree at Georgia Tech, and starting her career at NASA

She is literally doing rocket science. 

All that after a physics teacher told her college-level science classes might be too difficult.

Throughout our conversation, she offers her insights into the importance of working hard, checking your ego, and giving back. 

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

Sabrina's bio on NASA

On this episode of Rhian's Hope, I'm talking with Ann Roubique, Head Coach of the Cy Fair Girls Basketball Program about her journey from the softball fields of Louisana to the brightest lights in Texas Girls Basketball. Coaches inspire hope in their players. Sports inspire hope in entire communities. I talked with Coach Roubique to try and understand why. Learned a little bit about her gameday routine and sourced some questions from some former teammates.

Bobcat Fight Never Die

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to go to The People of Change Awards in Los Angeles, California and interview guests and honorees.

The evening celebrated those who inpsire, motivate, and create change in society including awardees: Angela Davis, Dr. Michael Bate, Dr. Chris Hickey, and community organization, Best Start South LA.

Interviews:

Cassie Betts, District2.Co, MISLA
Keitha Johnson, Videographer
Dr. Perry Crouch, Watts Gang Task Force
Blanca Gonzalez, Best Start
Patrice, People of Change
Lettie Martinez, Best Start
Santiago Marquez, Two Time HIP Through Science Fair Winner
James Smith, ARC Mid-Cities
Devaughn Ishmael and son

Follow The People of Change on Facebook and Instagram

Check out Rhian’s Hope online:
rhianshope.com 
facebook.com/rhianshope 
instagram.com/rhianshope 
twitter.com/rhianshope  

Music from Jukedeck – create your own at http://jukedeck.com