Mari and Shad are honored to introduce their newest co-creator, Christine "Chris" Nicholas. Chris joined the SCRAPEthePAINT team earlier this year as a blog contributor and writer! This is her first episode on SCRAPEthePODCAST. 

Chris shares her experience of growing up in the midwest and relocating while being in a mixed-race relationship. The trio explores ways to engage across difference and create meaningful dialogues with others. Chris' compassion, empathy, and awareness bring a fresh perspective to the podcast. Together they continue the journey to build a community of world-changers by acknowledging the humanity of us all. 

Learn more about The Turning Leaf Project Here -> https://www.turningleafproject.com/ 

Email us at [email protected] with comments, ideas or topics you would like to see on future podcasts.

For those that are new to the podcast, SCRAPE stands for: Support Community, Raise Awareness and Promote Equality. For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

We're back for the first episode of SCRAPEthePODCAST in 2021! Shad and Mari are excited to welcome Odie (8) and Elqanah (10) back for the second time. Mataya (11), their oldest daughter, decided to join in on the family fun! 

During this episode, the kids share their experience with distance learning, chat about school lunches and discuss ways to better care for our planet. The team also talk about the importance of peaceful protests in order to promote equality for all people and raise awareness for the issues of today. Mari also shares her best advice for other parents navigating the experience of working from home while the kiddos are distance learning. Prepare yourself for lots of giggles and a boat load of silliness in this episode!

Email us at [email protected] with comments, ideas or topics you would like to see on future podcasts.

For those that are new to the podcast, SCRAPE stands for: Support Community, Raise Awareness and Promote Equality. For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

This week, Shad and Mari sit down with 2 very special guests, their youngest kiddos, Odelia (8) "Odie" and Elqanah (9). This week the parents have a chance to interview the children, as they share their thoughts about distance learning in the new school year. The family discusses fear and share ideas on how to approach fear when it rises up within us. The children also share their own first-hand experiences in the fight for social justice in 2020. Look out for Part 2, next week. 

For those that are new to the podcast, SCRAPE stands for: Support Community, Raise Awareness and Promote Equality. For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Shad and Mari chat about local schools reopening, in-person learning during this pandemic, and some of their concerns as parents. The duo also discusses how the media and those in positions of power incite fear in people in order to control them. Major media outlets only sharing bits of truths amid a swamp of deception; words, images and topics carefully chosen to ensure that people remain unconscious. Many of this country’s leaders lack transparency, integrity and abhorrently fail to ensure equity for all people.

Despite these struggles, Shad and Mari encourage everyone to embrace the momentum. Recognize that our current struggles are an opportunity to challenge the old way. These experiences are all vital to the transition towards equality for all, join them and listen with an open mind and heart. Let us all work towards happy and healthy communities for all people and our planet.

Mari and Shad are currently developing new topics for SCRAPEthePODCAST and would love your input and ideas. Email your questions, comments or ideas to them at [email protected]. Until then, stay safe and stay connected.

For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Mari and Shad shift the conversation to self-care for Episode 7. 2020 has been a year like no other. With all the turbulence in the world today, it is vital to make mental health a priority. The pair share suggestions on how to practice self-care and discuss the use of art, music/vibrations and nature to find balance when the world seems to be spinning out of control. They discuss the importance of reaching out to others when loneliness, anxiety and/or depression set in and chat about the impact eating habits can affect your overall health.

Self-care is essential for everyone and one of the biggest pillars of self-care is the focus on mental health. If you or someone that you know are in crisis, are thinking about suicide or need emotional support, please seek help. A great resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be found online here or by calling 1-800-273-8255. Another great resource is 211.org, which is a free nationwide service that connects people to available community services and resources.

For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

In Episode 5, Mari and Shad discuss labor in America and how debt functions as a form of slavery. They start the episode by describing a frustrating oil change interaction they had at a Midas service center in Charleston, South Carolina. This interaction made the pair wonder what motivated the employee's disrespectful behavior. Although discrimination is a very likely culprit, they consider the possibility that the man was just having a bad day. Either way, it's important to be aware of the history that influences how white Americans perceive Black men.  

The conversation transforms into a dialogue about crippling debt and the dysfunctional systems which prevent many from accumulating wealth. Mari and Shad identify ways Americans find themselves trapped in a society which values money over human life. This week's SCRAPEShoutout has the spotlight on an individual using social media to connect and share knowledge within his community during the pandemic. Travis Edwards, from St. Paul Minnesota started an online Documentary Club, inviting others to join in the discussion about topics like sustainability and racism.  Thank you Travis, for allowing SCRAPEthePODCAST to join in on the discussion! 

For those that are new to the podcast, SCRAPE stands for: Support Community, Raise Awareness and Promote Equality, is the foundation of what we will be discussing during our time with you. For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

In their 4th episode, Mari and Shad sit down to discuss what's been going on over the last couple of weeks. In this episode, they discuss their perspectives on Confederate memorialization in the South. They remember the Emanuel 9 church shooting, a much too familiar tragedy brought on by the Beast of white supremacy. The threads of white supremacy can be found in nearly every aspect of life. It is a parasite. It is our generation's Goliath. It is time that we wake up and face this Beast. 

This week's SCRAPEShoutout has the spotlight on a great cause, Promised Land Snacks.  Our girl April Rollins is doing amazing things here in the Charleston area. This organization delivers snack care packages to bereaved families after the funeral.  You can even donate here --> https://promisedlandsnacks.wixsite.com/sunshine/donate

Be sure to follow Promised Land on FB: https://www.facebook.com/promisedland.snacks.5/timeline?lst=100051421783715%3A100032557014349%3A1592837356

For those that are new to the podcast, SCRAPE stands for: Support Community, Raise Awareness and Promote Equality, is the foundation of what we will be discussing during our time with you. For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/

Mari and Shad had to drop Episode 3 early. 

Today was a difficult day. 

We woke up to hear of the murder of another beautiful black man, named George Floyd. This time at the hands of 4 police officers from the Minneapolis Police Department. This story, coming 93 days after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery by 3 white men in Georgia. This story, coming 74 days after the murder of Brionna Taylor, by police, who shot up her entire apartment in Kentucky.

Today, SCRAPEthePODCAST gets real with y’all. Inspired by their recent visit to the location of the first Memorial Day celebration in 1865. They share ideas on how to bring unity and positive change to our broken country. “We need to rethink what it truly means to be an American, in 2020. We aren’t living in 1776... We have to create our own story.”

And as always, SCRAPEthePODCAST’s mission is to support community, raise awareness and promote equality. For more information on SCRAPEthePAINT head to www.scrapethepaint.com.

Music: Rhodesia by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org/