The session in which we spoke with Marion Hamermesh about her participation in the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, an organization working to build relationships between Muslim and Jewish women. We focused on a 'Building Bridges' trip some of the Sisterhood went on in January 2020. A group of 48 Muslim and Jewish women from all across the United States traveled to the U.S./Mexican border in Arizona. They actively participated in education and action for migrants and people seeking asylum.

An After Hours session with Allison Gibbs, LCSW (Therapy Concierge, LLC), focusing on Coronavirus health disparities highlighted in the news. We debunk a very offensive and baseless theory that this is due to a biological predisposition to the coronavirus among Black people, and talk more sanely about why these inequities truly exist and why we're seeing them right now. Not the most lighthearted of After Hours conversations, but it's always a positive experience to open up in heartfelt dialog with Allison.

The session in which we chat with Cornelia Poku, Communications professional by day - foodie/food blogger the rest of the time. We talked about food blogging, relationships, and race.

An aside: We met Cornelia in DC during the first weekend in March 2020, just before things totally shut down. By then, elbow bumps were the recommended greeting and after the interview we thought maybe we shouldn't, but we hugged anyway. Cornelia is the last person, outside of immediate family members, that we've hugged.

The session in which we speak with Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D. about her brand, Grant Blvd and her work to challenge  economic injustice and marginalization. Dr. McGlonn launched Grant Blvd as a sustainable design brand creating pathways to employment for people with a history of incarceration. All of their stylish garments are made from reclaimed fabrics, and through her brand, Kimberly works to advance the collective good of people and the planet.

Shop the GrantBlvd site. Fyi - they're also selling masks.

The session in which we spoke with Selena Alonzo, J.D. a public defender in Maryland. Selena is a Mexican-American and was strongly influenced by her family experience of having several of the most important men in her life incarcerated for various reasons. She holds deep knowledge of the effects of incarceration on men and their families. Knowing the truest solution is systemic change, Selena uses law to work within the system to help change a potentially negative life course for people as best she can.

The After Hours session in which we chat with Allison Gibbs of Therapy Concierge, LLC about taking care of self during COVID19.

We recorded this episode while still adjusting to being in COVID quarantine. We previously recorded a self-care episode but decided to do another, since adjusting to self-care in isolation added a new dimension.  

So much has happened since then! Self-care is crucial right now. And if you have emotional, physical, or financial resources to take care of others, then do that too!

The session in which we talk with Cheri Honkala, co-founder of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC).  Cheri was removed from her home as a girl and raised in foster care. She later attended college. After experiencing homelessness as a single mom due to unfortunate circumstances, Honkala realized her Mother was not 'bad' after all; She was struggling in a society that offered no resources.  Cheri has been organizing poor and homeless people for over 30 years.

The session in which we chat with 3 passionate team members from the North Philadelphia Peace Park. The NPPP is a charitable eco-campus providing free education, health & wellness, and produce programs to the Philadelphia Community.  We chatted with Nyasha Felder, Li Sumpter, and Bird - each bringing different knowledge, skill, and perspective to their volunteer work at the NPPP. Currently fundraising for the Peace Pavilion.

In this session, we devote our podcast to things we can do to promote racial justice and we commit to stand against racism in all its forms. 

We believe that to be silent is to be complicit. 

We believe that Black lives matter. 

We believe that Black lives are more important than property. 

We believe that we have a responsibility to use our platform to speak out against this injustice whenever and wherever we are witness to it.

Thank you WOC Podcasters. We stand with you.

Shrinks After Hours talking about the way men have pushed to define the standards of beauty that women try to live up to. Why?!

Ugh, that male gaze - looking to make women sexual objects for hetero-male pleasure.