In Part 1, we'll explore how neurodiversity is portrayed in the media, masking, the societal pressures behind those facades, and politics.

Special thanks to:

• Tomar Alexander
• The Different Spectrums Podcast
• Kenneth Mims
• Dr. Michelle Meyer
• Bendita C. Malakia
• Andrew Robinson

Music Credits

• Lofi Chill by DELOSound from Pixbay 

• Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/

https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=2kN6HNEYc0TK_PNe

• Voices by Rexlambo 

 https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=RrHYOZGO1Mugu8Kv

This episode explores how celebrities and public figures — often idolized or scrutinized — wear emotional masks to hide their pain, trauma, or inner turmoil. We dig into the pressures of fame, toxic perfectionism, public opinion, and the toll it takes on mental health.

By looking at real-world figures and fictional parallels, we create a dialogue around visibility, vulnerability, and the cost of hiding behind an image.

Guests

• Kelsey Russell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelscruss/

• Pervis Taylor III

https://www.pervistaylor.com

Special thanks to Genesis Powell and Racquel Benjamin too!

Music Credits

• Voices by Rexlambo 

https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=T6YXMGb0BcENFXsf 

• “Take it slow” by Tomh 

https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=bBNTCyi6qujZy7ak 

• “Relax” produced by White Hot; provided by https://freebeats.io/

• https://youtu.be/sC3zyaw-RQI?si=UgIi8lNtP_Npg9kz

Sometimes the hardest story to rewrite... is our own. Join me and Relando Thompkins-Jones as we unmask and rewrite origin stories.

Whether we’re healing from trauma, shaking off labels the world put on us, or finally seeing ourselves with fresh eyes—rewriting an origin story is an act of resistance, an act of liberation.

My episode on Social Justice Origin Stories: https://youtu.be/-GxD-HCS8SI?si=gh-vr22erOlVhAoQ

Follow Relando for more!

Website: ⁠https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/⁠

Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories⁠

Instagram:  ⁠@SocialJusticeOriginStories ⁠

Music Credits:

• "Take it slow" by Tomh.

https://youtu.be/JT-4wfo296Q?si=aqNLogvKVlTwG0hH

https://hypeddit.com/tomhwav
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
Music promoted by Audio Library

• "Voices" by Rexlambo

https://youtu.be/rfmPUt7SfNs?si=-n8mOdAmyLYICMv2

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Music promoted by Audio Library:

In this episode, I speak with music artist and comic book creator, BAYANI about his personal journey and identity. We explore what it means to rep your culture like a banner and how to fight bigotry with creativity and voice.

In this episode, we’ll explore how societal forces—such as trauma, oppression, injustice, and neglect—can shape individuals into the so-called “villains” of our world. 

We’ll analyze how pop culture, politics, and comic books reflect these ideas, showcasing characters who were pushed into villainy by their circumstances rather than being inherently evil. Are these individuals truly the masterminds of their own downfall or simply victims of a system that failed them? 

This discussion will not only touch on fiction but reflect on real-world stories of individuals who were labeled as “monsters” by society—yet, when we look closer, we see the deeper systemic and psychological roots of their actions. 

• Kwanza Osajyefo

https://blackmaskstudios.com/category/creators/kwanza-osajyefo/

• Dr. Judith Halasz

https://webapps.newpaltz.edu/directory/profile/judithhalasz 

• Dr. Scott T. Allison 

https://psychology.richmond.edu/faculty/sallison/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/why-we-need-heroes/202205/the-monomyth-of-the-villain.

Music Credits

• Prod. Dosis Beats 

https://youtu.be/RNn4hEm_B0Y?si=T-1-Ue2cQxIThDpB  

• NK Music 

https://youtu.be/tGpypPiPbVE?si=hWl3nWhz4zhUnl7i  

• dozu beats x unfaced

https://youtu.be/UGbxCDNhP0c?si=vK3-fSBywEewDsFv   

• Prod. Noah Samuel

https://youtu.be/CyJZI3dIx60?si=wg7JIors4JtbOXe3 

• Prod. Riddiman 

https://youtu.be/SZdEtGBxY0U?si=2AaD3uw4eqLDq8HP