That Forever Kind of Love: A Conversation with Vincent Perez
Imagine you’re deeply in love with a person. You’ve purchased a home together; you’ve picked out your furniture but before you even open the first box, the love of your life is taken from you by a stray bullet that ends their life. In this episode, meet Vincent Perez, who had to find meaning to life after losing his fiancée, Shane Colombo to gun violence. Because despite losing the man he loved in such a tragic way, it’s this same fairytale romance - one that survived distance and unique circumstances - that keeps giving him purpose. Because regardless of how imperfect or difficult the situation may be or who we love - be it he, she, or they - everyone is deserving of being seen, being understood, and being loved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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27:52
Don’t hurt me no more: A Conversation with Ts Madison
You’ve probably heard of Ts Madison through her iconic videos on social media, her TV show The TS Madison Experience, or even through her latest feature on Cozy, a track off the new Beyonce album. But before she became known for her content and out-of-this-world confidence as a trans woman, she was a sex worker that was battling stigmas within the same community that was meant to protect her. In this episode, listen as Maddie shares her struggles in becoming unapologetically herself. Because although she’s always been very sure of who she is and what she stands for, it was the outside world - filled with transphobia and homophobia – that always made her feel like was inadequately representing womanhood and the trans community. Find out how Maddie overcame these comparisons and societal pressures to make herself happy - becoming the truest version of herself through radical self-love. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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25:47
Redefining Queer Masculinity and Healing: A Conversation with Yolo Akili Robinson
Why is it that men, straight Black men, are so afraid of being seen as “soft?” Why is it that so many in this country have learned that the most damaging thing you can be is queer or trans and that to see that in another triggers a wound so deep that it results in violence? In this episode meet Yolo Akili Robinson, who shares his story of manhood – and the experience of being in relationships that were mentally, sexually and physically abusive. Because despite being raised in a home that taught him how to be a man’s man – repressing his true authentic self – he was able to unlearn the culture of femininity seen as something wrong and overcome the homophobia and self-hatred that runs so deep within his community. Through his work, he’s been able to reach people far beyond his community, proving that the experiences of trauma can be binding across human beings, and that the healing journey can be somewhat universal as well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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28:25
Making His ‘Enemy’ an Ally: A Conversation with Leon Ford: Part 2
We’ve all heard the unfortunate stories of police and Black Americans in our country. From misconduct to miscommunication, we often hear about victims of police abuse through memorials and services. But Leon Ford lived to tell the tale. At the young age of 19, he was left paralyzed after being shot by police. But, instead of allowing resentment and anger drive him, he decided to take control of the narrative – and his healing – to mend the relationships between his community and the authorities. In this two-part Season 2 opener, Leon explains how he’s been able to create content and spaces to humanize both sides through “The Hear Foundation”, an organization dedicated exclusively to collaborating with community leaders, Pittsburgh Police, residents and the City to create a safe, thriving community for all. Listen to how he found unlikely allies for his own healing – and the healing of the larger community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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25:00
Making His ‘Enemy’ an Ally: A Conversation with Leon Ford: Part 1
We’ve all heard the unfortunate stories of police and Black Americans in our country. From misconduct to miscommunication, we often hear about victims of police abuse through memorials and services. But Leon Ford lived to tell the tale. At the young age of 19, he was left paralyzed after being shot by police. But, instead of allowing resentment and anger drive him, he decided to take control of the narrative – and his healing – to mend the relationships between his community and the authorities. In this two-part Season 2 opener, Leon explains how he’s been able to create content and spaces to humanize both sides through “The Hear Foundation”, an organization dedicated exclusively to collaborating with community leaders, Pittsburgh Police, residents and the City to create a safe, thriving community for all. Listen to how he found unlikely allies for his own healing – and the healing of the larger community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all have a longing to be seen for who we are - even if who we are is more complex and messy to the outside world. In The Deep: Stories that Shape Us, a new podcast from iHeartRadio, shares the first-hand account of Black and Latinx men as they peel back the layers of hardship in a world that doesn’t always see them, all of them, for who they really are. Join host Zach Stafford, as he explores the topics of discrimination, family and religion giving us a better understanding of the difficulties these men face, allowing us to see their entire truths - no matter how complicated they might be. These conversations with thought-leaders, athletes and authors prove that regardless of circumstance, there’s always hope and health on the other side.
New Zealand