May 31, 2025

S6E12 - A Long Talk's Proven Formula: Information + Empathy = Action

58 minutes

A Long Talk About the Uncomfortable Truth was developed by two black fathers in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, during a moment of national reckoning. There was a collective national and international outcry, but there was also a gap between intention and action. People wanted to help but didn’t know where to start. In light of the Black Lives Matter movement, USRowing came to terms with its own limitations when it came to talking about – and taking action around – diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A Long Talk gives space to have the conversations that people are afraid to have. They lead activation experiences designed to empower participants with knowledge and skills to interrupt problematic thinking and behaviors.

Kamal Carter and Kyle Williams, founders of A Long Talk, are not rowers, but they are proud to be a USRowing Unity Partner, and working with rowing programs across the country.

GUESTS:

Kamal Carter, President

Kyle Williams, Chief Empowerment Officer

FIND OUT MORE

www.alongtalk.com

FB, IG & X: @alongtalk2020

YouTube: @Alongtalk

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro

01:50 - Hosts Tara and Rachel talk candidly about policies that led to segregation, and outdated ideas that persist

04:10 - Welcome guests and week on a scale of 1-10

09:15 - The Hot Seat Q&A

17:53 - Kyle and Kamal met in college at Hampton University

20:02 - A Long Talk origin story began in response to a 2020 incident with an NCAA basketball coach

29:45 - Connecting with USRowing started with Matt Logue at TRRA

32:04 - A willingness to learn and progress over perfection

36:10 - Success looks like…

40:56 - Information plus empathy equals action

41:58 - A Long Talk’s CPR ( clarify, probe and redirect) training

49:44 - How white women can impact change

52:56 - Are you ready to take your first steps towards interrupting ignorance?

54:50 - Steady State Network news and notes

To get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

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Check out more Steady State Network here:

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

IG - @SteadyStateNetwork

BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars

IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

Rachel Freedman - @RowSource

Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

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