Anna Akoto - writer, communications professional and creator of "so these are my twenties" podcast - joins us! It's Black History Month, so in this chat, we focus on Black writers, bell hooks' All About Love: New Vision and what it means to treat love as a verb. We also chat about the importance of documenting our histories, influential stories growing up and more. Tune in for this fun conversation!

Topics we cover:

• Consumption choices in our 20s
• Bell Hooks' All About Love: New Visions
• The importance of documenting cultural stories and histories
• Ghanaian folk musician, Koo Nimo
• Favourite Black writers
• Brandy/Whitney's Cinderella and Princess Diaries (Yes, Princess Diaries)
• And, of course, rapid-fire questions!

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change.

SHOW NOTES

• Follow Anna Akoto on Instagram: @anna_akoto
• Follow Anna's podcast 'so these are my twenties' on Instagram: @sothesearemytwenties
• Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser
• In this episode, we talk about Anna's piece reflecting on bell hooks'. You can read it here: https://www.neverapart.com/features/heart-surgery-at-25-the-journey-to-love/

DISCLAIMERS:

• Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod.

Robin Harry - cancer survivor, registered nurse, infection control practitioner, writer and fellow geek sits down to chat stories with us in this week's episode. In this chat, you'll hear about Robin's very personal connection to the loss of Chadwick Boseman, how her personal story has defined her, wrestling with survivor's guilt, being a Black Girl Nerd and more. Tune in for this special conversation!

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Photo of Robin courtesy of Robin Harry. SHOW NOTES - Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and join the conversation! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkingstorieswraq/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkingStoriesR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingstorieswraq - Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser OTHER SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we talk about Robin's moving Facebook post following the passing of Chadwick Boseman. You can read it on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/joyeful/posts/10164083531805147 Here's a link to Robin's blog: https://lymphomalowdown.blogspot.com/ DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod. This episode was recorded in December 2020.

In this week's episode, freelance writer and former journalism school classmate, Jody Anderson joins us to talk stories. We chat about meaningful story assignments, influential writers, movies we would use to describe ourselves, and the ongoing journey of discovering self. Tune in for this insightful conversation!

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Follow Jody on Instagram and Twitter: @meshisland

Follow Talking Stories with Raquel Russell on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and join the conversation!

Follow Raquel A. Russell on Twitter and Instagram: @raqlionchaser

OTHER SHOW NOTES: In this episode, Raquel references her story, "Combatting anti-Black Racism at U of T." https://uoft.me/combatting-racism DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod.

This episode was recorded in November 2020.

Happy Holidays! In this special episode, Raquel chats with family members about Christmas, their favourite holiday stories, reflections on the OG Christmas story and how this Christmas looks different.

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and join the conversation!

DISCLAIMERS: Music includes "Upbeat Hip Hop Music" by Soul Prod and "We Three Kings" by Ben DeVries.

In this week's episode, Patricia Russell - author, pastor, singer, speaker, and coach - chats with us about her new book, her near-drowning experience, her journey as a two-time cancer survivor and more. Tune in for this special mother-daughter chat. Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. -- Follow Patricia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/ Follow Patricia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrussellsings -- Other Show Notes: Purchase "Stories To Empower the Mind, Body & Spirit" directly from Patricia Russell (shoot her a DM) or order today on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1988867622/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=STRONGER+RESILIENCE%3A+Stories+To+Empower+the+Mind%2C+Body+%26+Spirit&qid=1601656641&sr=8-2 ——————— DISCLAIMERS: Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod. ------------- Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram and Twitter and join the conversation!

Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change.

In this week's episode, Justin Malone - a digital storyteller and entrepreneur - chats with us about the power of personal stories.

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Follow Justin on Instagram

Follow Justin on Twitter

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Other Show Notes:

In this episode, we talked about the great, Jordon Veira.

Check out his legacy accounts

• https://www.facebook.com/JordonVeira/
• https://www.instagram.com/j.v.dagoat/
• https://www.jvdagoat.com/

———————

DISCLAIMERS:

Music by Upbeat Hip Hop Music by Soul Prod.

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Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram and Twitter and join the conversation!

During the May 13th season finale of hit CW show Arrow, fans said farewell to Felicity Smoak. Last episode Raquel reflected on the character's overall impact and why she resonates with so many. In this episode, Raquel features listeners' favourite Felicity moments and stories.
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Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a weekly show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Weekly I’ll be highlighting the power of narrative (both fiction and nonfiction) in my and my guests' lives. You're invited to share what stories have impacted your life and how it might have inspired change. This is designed to be a safe space where listeners and participants are invited to get in as deep as they want. To start off the show I’m highlighting journalists and comic book stories (the writers of stories and a genre meet) with an ode to comic book genre journalists.

DISCLAIMERS:
The character and portrayal of Felicity Smoak does not belong to me.
TM © Warner Brothers, CW Network and DC Comics.
ALL RIGHTS GO WARNER BROTHERS, CW NETWORK AND DC COMICS.

Music by Checkie Brown.
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Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram (instagram.com/talkingstorieswraq) and Twitter at (twitter.com/talkingstoriesr) and join the conversation!

Holy frak, the moment has arrived. During the May 13th season finale of hit CW show Arrow, fans are saying farewell to Felicity Smoak for the next two weeks, Raquel takes time to chat and reflect on the character's overall impact and why she resonates with so many. Have a story about about how you've connected with Felicity? Shoot us a message on Twitter @TalkingStoriesR or via email at [email protected] and we'll feature it in part 2. -------------- Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a weekly show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Weekly I'll be highlighting the power of narrative (both fiction and nonfiction) in mine and my guests lives. You're invited to share what stories have impacted your life and how it might have inspired change. This is designed to be a safe space where listeners and participants are invited to get in as deep as they want. To start off the show I'm highlighting journalists and comic book stories (the writers of stories and a genre meet) with an ode to comic book genre journalists.

DISCLAIMERS: The character and portrayal of Felicity Smoak does not belong to me. TM © Warner Brothers, CW Network and DC Comics. ALL RIGHTS GO WARNER BROTHERS, CW NETWORK AND DC COMICS.

Music by Checkie Brown. ------------- Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram (instagram.com/talkingstorieswraq) and Twitter at (twitter.com/talkingstoriesr) and join the conversation!

On this special episode of Talking Stories, Raquel talks about Lois Lane – the original comic book Journalist. -------------- Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a weekly show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Weekly I'll be highlighting the power of narrative (both fiction and nonfiction) in mine and my guests lives. You're invited to share what stories have impacted your life and how it might have inspired change. This is designed to be a safe space where listeners and participants are invited to get in as deep as they want. To start off the show I'm highlighting journalists and comic book stories (the writers of stories and a genre meet) with an ode to comic book genre journalists.

DISCLAIMERS: The character and portrayal of Lois Lane does not belong to me. TM © Warner Brothers and DC Comics. ALL RIGHTS GO WARNER BROTHERS AND DC COMICS.

Music by Checkie Brown. ------------- Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram (instagram.com/talkingstorieswraq) and Twitter at (twitter.com/talkingstoriesr) and join the conversation!

On this episode of Talking Stories, Raquel talks about Netflix/Marvel's iteration of comic-book/tv show journalist Karen Page. Listen in to learn more about how Karen's journey from regular citizen to city reporter serves as a model for how we can live in our busy and heavy world. -------------- Talking Stories with Raquel Russell is a weekly show dedicated to highlighting how stories impact lives and inspire change. Weekly I'll be highlighting the power of narrative (both fiction and nonfiction) in mine and my guests lives. You're invited to share what stories have impacted your life and how it might have inspired change. This is designed to be a safe space where listeners and participants are invited to get in as deep as they want. To start off the show I'm highlighting journalists and comic book stories (the writers of stories and a genre meet) with an ode to comic book genre journalists.

DISCLAIMERS: The character and portrayal of Karen Page does not belong to me. TM © Netflix, Disney and Marvel. ALL RIGHTS GO TO DISNEY AND NETFLIX.

Music by Checkie Brown. ------ Follow #TalkingStories on Instagram (instagram.com/talkingstorieswraq) and Twitter at (twitter.com/talkingstoriesr) and join the conversation!