How do artists continue telling the truth when the political climate encourages silence? What does it take to build brave spaces instead of simply safe ones? And how can storytelling help us move through polarization without losing our convictions?

In the second act of this special live conversation, host Courtney J. Boddie welcomes the audience into an expansive dialogue with Australian arts educator, researcher, activist, and South Asian dance artist Rachael Jacobs. Together, they reflect on what it means to practice teaching artistry in a moment defined by uncertainty, resistance, and possibility.

Throughout the discussion, Rachael returns to the power of story, not as an escape from conflict, but as a way through it. She speaks about artists as the "front line of resistance," the importance of coalition-building, and why teaching artists are uniquely equipped to imagine new possibilities when existing systems fall short. Alongside moments of laughter and vulnerability, the conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone working at the intersection of art, education, and social change.

Recorded live, this episode is both a celebration of collective inquiry and a reminder that meaningful change rarely happens alone, but it begins in conversation.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Why artists remain essential voices during moments of political uncertainty

The shift from "safe spaces" to "brave spaces" and ultimately "accountable spaces"

Storytelling as a tool for bridging difference and inspiring action

Language, culture, and reclaiming power through education

Coalition-building, leadership, and the courage to be misunderstood

Imagining a more inclusive artistic canon for future generations

Guest: Rachael Jacobs

Host: Courtney J. Boddie

If you haven't yet listened to Episode 89, Act One, we recommend starting there, where Courtney and Rachael invite listeners to think beyond incremental change and consider how artists can become powerful bridge-builders in increasingly polarized times.

References & Further Reading

Eve Tuck

Faculty profile

Mona Eltahawy

Substack

The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls

Research Mentioned

"The Race to Innocence" written by Mary Louise Fellows* and Sherene Razack

Special Thanks

Special thanks to the live audience, creative producer Jonathan Zautner, and Jono Waldman for writing and performing the Teaching Artistry Podcast theme song.

Teaching Artistry Podcast goes live!

In this special episode, Courtney J. Boddie records in front of a live audience!

Courtney is joined by Australian activist, artist, scholar, educator, and change maker Dr. Rachael Jacobs for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about teaching artistry, justice, collective action, and the role of artists in shaping a more equitable future.

Together they explore:

What it means to move from "saving" communities to listening alongside them

Decolonizing arts education and community practice

Why artists belong in positions of political leadership

Coalition building as a strategy for systemic change

The relationship between arts, advocacy, and public policy

The importance of joy as both a creative practice and a form of resistance

How teaching artists can imagine and actively build the world they want to live in

Rachael shares stories from her work with refugee communities, her experiences as a South Asian artist in Australia, and even her campaign challenging Australia's Prime Minister in Parliament. Throughout the conversation, Courtney and Rachael invite listeners to think beyond incremental change and consider how artists can become powerful bridge-builders in increasingly polarized times.

This live recording also features a welcome from Jean Taylor, an opening performance of the Teaching Artistry Podcast theme song by Jono Waldman, and reflections from the audience.

This is Part One of a two-part live conversation. Be sure to listen to Act Two, where audience questions continue the dialogue about justice, creativity, and moving the field forward together.

Guest

Dr. Rachael Jacobs is an Associate Professor in Creative Arts Education at Western Sydney University and a former secondary teacher (Dance, Drama and Music) and Arts specialist. Her research interests include cultural diversity in the teacher workforce, racial justice through the arts, assessment for creativity and language development through the arts. Her PhD was on creativity assessment, leading to changes in curriculum and assessment in Senior Secondary education in Australia.

Rachael has facilitated arts projects in community settings all over Australia, including in refugee communities, in prisons and in women’s refuges. In 2016 she co-wrote an arts education report for the OECD that contributed to Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. In 2020 she contributed to UNESCO's Futures of Education Initiative, co-authoring a report on artists' depictions of the future of education. Rachael has written two textbooks for educators on Arts Education.

Rachael is a community activist, a freelance writer, aerial arts instructor, dancer and choreographer. She was a founding member of the community activism group, Teachers for Refugees and runs her own intercultural dance company in Sydney. Rachael is a climate activist and is on the board of advocacy group, Sweltering Cities. She is also on the board of youth theatre company, PYT Fairfield. She is active as an anti-racism and human rights campaigner, and runs anti-racism programs through the arts in NSW schools. Rachael additionally facilitates DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) education programs, specialising in designing bespoke programs for the arts and community sectors.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to our live audience, creative producer Jonathan Zautner, and Jono Waldman for writing and performing the Teaching Artistry Podcast theme song live.

Key Themes: Teaching Artistry, Arts Education, Community Arts, Social Justice, Decolonization, Collective Action, Arts Advocacy, Refugee Advocacy, Creativity & Democracy, Joy as Resistance, Cultural Leadership, Equity, Live Podcast

Episode 88, ACT 2: Adia Tamar Whitaker- Tears to the Sea by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 88, ACT 1: Adia Tamar Whitaker- Tears to the Sea by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 87, ACT 2: Idris Goodwin- The Tinkering Storyteller by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 87, ACT 1: Idris Goodwin- The Tinkering Storyteller by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 86, ACT 3: Katie Dawson-Beyond the Walls by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 86, ACT 2: Katie Dawson-Beyond the Walls by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 86, ACT 1: Katie Dawson-Beyond the Walls by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Episode 85, ACT 2: Pablo Hernandez Basulto-Internal Possibility by Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie