The Roll Down

Sometimes in podcasting you create a script but when you start recording, a different conversation happens - that’s what this episode is. What began as a conversation with pastor and author, Cody Balfour, about his book, “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark: Daily Readings for an Anxious World” turned into an honest and authentic conversation about the Christian faith. We get real as we talk about how some pervert Christianity for power, where we turn when we are feeling anxious, and how important the role of community is as we navigate the world.

Follow and support Cody’s work:

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark: Daily Readings for an Anxious World (you can purchase from wherever aligns with your values)

IG: @codyqbalfour

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This is Part 3 of a three-part DEI series on The Roll Down.

In this final episode, Matthew and Alethea turn toward the psychological and nervous-system impacts of colonization, racism, and ongoing oppression—and what healing can look like in the midst of it. Using Polyvagal Theory as a grounding framework, they explore how our bodies and brains adapt to chronic threat through hypervigilance, shutdown, and survival strategies that are often misunderstood or pathologized. The conversation names realities such as racial trauma, internalized oppression, intergenerational grief, imposter syndrome, colorism, and the misdiagnosis of marginalized communities, while emphasizing that these are not “disorders,” but adaptive responses to unsafe systems. This episode offers language, validation, and a compassionate lens for understanding how oppression lives in the body—and reminds us that healing is deeply relational, rooted in safety, co-regulation, and being seen.

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This is part 2 of a three-part series on DEI. In this episode, Matthew and Alethea dive into how the brain creates and stores memories—and explore the critical consequences of misremembering or erasing history. We are living in a time when books are being banned, DEI language is being legislated against, and educators are restricted from teaching accurate historical truths. In this context, preserving and sharing accurate history becomes an act of resistance. Matthew and Alethea offer a brief yet powerful overview of colonization, oppression, and racism—drawing connections to today’s political climate, particularly the ongoing dehumanization of immigrants.dd

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This episode kicks off a three-part series surrounding DEI. In this episode, we break down what DEI is and means, give a brief history about it, and discuss some of the contradictions and hypocrisy from the current administration regarding DEI. While we cannot cover everything that has happened since the inauguration, we wanted to provide some context and lay the groundwork for what is to come in the episodes to follow.

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

We have our first guest of the season! Danielle Coke Balfour is back again and joins us as we dive into part 2 of the state of our country. In this episode, we discuss with Danielle her perspective on what’s currently happening with this administration and DEI, and how the past five years got us to this moment. We also talk with her about removing a best-selling product from Target after their DEI rollback, and how she’s continuing to show up and do her part. 

Follow and support Danielle’s work:

A Heart on Fire

A Heart on Fire Guided Workbook

Subscribe to The Everyday Advocate (weekly newsletter)

https://shop.ohhappydani.com/

IG: @ohhappydani 

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

Episode 2 marks the first of a two-part series focused on the current state of our country. In contrast to previous seasons—which focused more on analyzing national events—this episode intentionally shifts the lens toward self-care, strategic resistance, and holistic health in the pursuit of justice.

Matthew and Alethea offer psychoeducation on the Central Nervous System, exploring how stress is internalized and how we can intentionally disrupt the stress cycle. The episode highlights the importance of regulation and embodiment as vital tools for sustainability and well-being in the midst of chaos.

The worksheet linked is meant to be used after listening to Episode 2. It can be completed individually or in community—whether in a small group, team meeting, classroom, mentorship context, or any space committed to collective learning, healing, and justice.

Linked Resources:

TRD Worksheet

The Logoff (daily Vox newsletter)

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

We're back! After a bit of a hiatus Alethea and Matthew are back behind the mics and ready for another season. In this season intro they give listeners a brief introduction of who they are, the history of the podcast, and the hopes and values for season 3.

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast 

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This season launched in January 2023 and is wrapping up in 2024, something that our hosts did not anticipate. In this finale, Alethea and Matthew reflect on what it took to get this season launched and highlight each of the episodes and what they appreciated about them. They express their joy and gratitude in what was accomplished in the midst of more unexpected life circumstances which caused the season to take a year and a half to complete, and they give a brief vision for what the upcoming season will be focused on. 

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez

Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast 

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

We have our first returning guest, Danielle Coke Balfour, back to discuss her first book, “A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well”, which was released in October 2023. We talk with Danielle about what sparked her desire to write (and illustrate!) the book, and how she landed on her “ten pillars of a life of good work”. We also highlight one of the meditations in the “Justice” section that resonated with us and directly connects to the foundation of The Roll Down. We hope you enjoy this fun and inspiring conversation with one of our favorite guests!

Danielle Coke Balfour is a graphic designer turned artist, advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses artwork and resources to make complex ideas surrounding racial justice more accessible for the everyday advocate. Danielle works to inspire her community of over half a million people across social media to do good daily, right where they are. She’s also the author of “A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well.” Whether working with brands like Target and Adobe, speaking in front of audiences, or running her business, Danielle hopes to inspire others to embody their values and live a life of sustainable activism by using what they have to impact the world around them.

Additional Resources:

Book website: https://book.ohhappydani.com

Bookshop link (supports indie bookstores with every purchase!): https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-heart-on-fire-100-meditations-on-loving-your-neighbors-well-danielle-coke-balfour/19795761?ean=9781524881221

Danielle’s weekly newsletter: ​​https://ohhappydani.com/advocate

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez

Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast 

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This episode is a continuation from the previous episode where we discussed the lead up to, and the closing of, all Lenses offerings in the U.S. in July 2021. In this episode, Alethea and Matthew share more about their experiences in the organization outside of what happened with Lenses, and they’ll explore the impact of these events and practices they utilized to heal. Though their story is specific to the Cru ministry, anyone who has endured religious trauma and/or workplace abuse may benefit from the practical elements they offer.  

Additional Resources:

The Roll Down, Season 1 episodes: “Empathy, Containment and Validation” and “Community & Self-care in the Fight for Justice”

Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez

Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares

Designer: Cameron Stingley

Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast 

The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.