Today we wrap up season one of the podcast. Valarie and Emra take about the purpose behind this mission; why they chose to engage in this work of bringing unity among diverse peoples, and how it requires intentionality, compassion and empathy to see this work expand. In season 2, we invite you to join us as we will be interviewing guests around the foundational topics we have introduced in the first season.

Courageous Conversations that Heal

This is the second part of a two-part conversation about the diverse ethnic roots of Savannah, Georgia, a city that has become a melting pot of African American, white, indigenous, Hispanic and Asian cultures. Emra and Valarie discuss why it is equally important to join people in their joy as in their pain.

Courageous Conversations that Heal

Today is the first of a two-part conversation about the ethnic roots of Savannah, Georgia—a city that has become a melting pot of African American, white, Indigenous, Hispanic and Asian cultures. Valarie and Emra talk about the beginnings of our great city and how, though we have come a long way in terms of racial equality and inclusion, we still have quite a bit of work to do. 

Courageous Conversations that Heal

We're discussing firsts today—inspired by Ian article about General Michael Langley, the U.S. Marine Corps' first African American four star general. Emra and Valarie highlight more incredible achievements in technology, health care and the arts by people you may not have heard about before.

What does it take to be first? How do we stand up in our identity and gifts and become resilient ion the face of opposition? Today we celebrate those who have done just that.

Courageous Conversations that Heal

This week our nation celebrated the 4th of July, and we thought it might be a good time to talk traditions. Whether drinking tea together or dancing the Samba, we can all agree that life would not be as rich or as meaningful without our family rituals. Storytelling, music, fireworks, dance, food—each ethnicity has a different take on how to celebrate, and Emra and Valarie discuss how important it is to embrace and honor the beauty in our varied family traditions.

Courageous Conversations that Heal

The topic is love: how do we hold boundaries and yet continue to love? How do we forgive and remain open to love when we've been deeply hurt? Valarie shares a little bit of her own powerful story of forgiveness in this episode. It's a must-listen for those of us who struggle with letting go of past hurt.

Courageous Conversations that Heal

Today our first guest, author, musician and co-founder of Marigold Press Books, Rebekah McLeod, asks the questions: "What are the actual markers of progress towards racial reconciliation? What actions steps do we take to build new bridges of trust and goodwill?" 

Also discussed is the three-step process of reconciliation and how each one can be applied to our personal lives and to healing our communities.

Courageous Conversations that Heal

Nelson Mandela said, "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." 

Why do we celebrate Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and what exactly does it mean to our nation?  How does celebrating it respect the freedom of others? 

Also, do we know the whole story when it comes too our American history?  Why is it important to tell the story of your nation's past without filtering out the hard truths?

Courageous Conversations that Heal

Respect: How do we get back to it when our culture is hyper-focused on the individual—my needs, my thoughts, my opinions; when our media and our political system seems to divide us into right and left, and being moderate is no longer in vogue? 

How do we get back to the value of community; to remember that everyone has a story? How do we turn our me into we, to learn the skills to listen, to take into account the hopes, dreams, joys and hurts of others?

Courageous Conversations that Heal

What does it mean to truly be an ally, to stand in solidarity with those who are treated unfairly around us?

At critical moments in culture, when injustice rips the bandaid off old wounds, often the first response of the majority is blame shifting and finger-pointing, but as Valarie explains, there is another option for how to respond in a way that builds up rather than tears down.

Courageous Conversations that Heal