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Since the start of the pandemic the Asian-American community has faced heightened discrimination, racism, and violence. In this episode I give concrete examples of what it looks like to stand up against this racism and how we can model these anti-racist actions for our children. We then transition into my conversation with children’s author Andrea Wang to learn how we can bring Chinese culture into our homes and get involved with the Chinese community in our area. Andrea shares ideas for learning about and celebrating Lunar New Year. Not only is Andrea a talented, hilarious writer, she also has two boys and an advanced degree in environmental science. It was such a joy to connect with someone I admire so much!    During our conversation we cover: Her path to becoming an author and her inspiration behind writing The Nian Monster  Lunar New Year, her favorite Lunar New Year traditions, and how families who don’t usually celebrate Lunar New Year can get involved  Her experiences growing up in a predominantly white community  The importance of teaching our children about implicit bias and how to help your children dispel stereotypes they may have about the Chinese community The #ownvoices movement in which authors of color and other marginalized groups are advocating for themselves and fighting for the space to tell their own story The importance of having an inclusive bookshelf Using the OurStory App to find inclusive books The issues with the book Tikki Tikki Tembo and Grace Lin’s essay about the book  The projects that Andrea has coming up in the next few years   Check out Andrea’s Books! How to get in contact with and keep up with Andrea The Event Kit & Teacher Guide for The Nian Monster PBS Documentary: The Chinese Exclusion Act   Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus by Learning For Justice  How To Respond To Coronavirus Racism  Purchase Bite-sized Black History  Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books. These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration in your home or classroom!   Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram    “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to celebrating Black History Month? In this episode I share the key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration. If you’re not sure where to start, listen in for some concrete steps you can take to foster a love for Black History and culture in your home and classroom. This episode also includes a sneak peek of the Bite-sized Black History program!    Purchase Bite-sized Black History  Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been largely overlooked by our history books. These 12 bite-sized podcast episodes, coloring pages, and reflection questions are your key to a meaningful Black History Month celebration in your home or classroom!   First Name Basis Website   Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   Join us on Instagram    “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN   

Unfortunately, Dr. King's dream has not yet come true. In this episode I explain the second phase of his dream that we are still working on today.   Sign up for updates about Bite-sized Black History Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been overlooked by our history books.   Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram    “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN 

We have the opportunity to celebrate one of America’s greatest heroes this month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During the month of January host Jasmine Bradshaw will help you learn about and understand the untold story of Dr. King and give you the tools you need to confidently teach your children about his life and his legacy.  In this episode she covers: -His background and upbringing  -His time in college/graduate school -How he came to be the spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and then go on to be a prominent leader in the Civil Rights movement -His influence on the election of President John F. Kennedy  -How he was viewed as a threat to the nation and investigated by the FBI -His philosophy of nonviolent resistance that carried him through and inspires us all    Sign up for updates about Bite-sized Black History Bite-sized Black History is a program that empowers you to teach the little ones you love about 12 brilliant Black Americans that have been overlooked by our history books.    Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram  The Radical King, edited and introduced by Cornel West*   Podcast: Code Switch, Episode: The Original Blexit John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Phone Call that Changed History   John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights Movement   Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail    MLK’s Speech Attracted Intense FBI Attention   The Threatening Letter Written and Sent to Dr. King from the FBI  Season 3 Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN    *Amazon Affiliate Link  

If someone asked you “what is racism” how would you respond? Would you be able to help them understand the different ways that racism rears its ugly head in our society? In this episode we are getting back to basics and breaking down the three components of racism: implicit bias, overt interpersonal racism, and systemic racism. I will teach you how to spot each of these components in your everyday life and illustrate how they work together to form the system of oppression that we are fighting so hard to dismantle.  Sign up here to be the first to know when Bite-sized Black History is released!   Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram    This Book is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell   Understanding Implicit Bias-Kirwan Institute   Talking About Race-National Museum of African-American History & Culture   Woman Accuses Teen of Stealing Her Phone   Man who is shopping at Old Navy is accused of stealing a jacket    Black man renting an Air bnb, white couple walks in and questions him    How COVID 19 Unmasks Inequality In Our Society-First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2 Episode 8   White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo   Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN 

When we really take a moment to step back and think it’s easy to agree that Jesus had brown skin because he was from the Middle East. If that’s the case, why is Christ so often depicted as white with light skin, hair, and eyes? In this episode we uncover the roots of white Jesus and explain the impact this depiction has made on us and our communities.    Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram    Where Did ‘White Jesus’ Come From?   ‘Color of Christ’: A Story of Race and Religion in America Terry Gross interview with Edward Blum   How Jesus Became White And Why It’s Time To Cancel That by Emily McFarlan Miller   Cancel Culture Part 3: Removing Statues (First Name Basis Podcast)   What’s The Difference Between Puritans and Pilgrims?   The Harlem Renaissance    Colonel Henry Stanley Todd, The Priory, and the Nazarene   Psychologist Simon Howard from Marquette University   Dylann Roof Appeals Death Penalty in South Carolina Church Massacre    Archaeologists In Turkey Believe They Are Digging Up The Original Santa Claus   Megyn Kelly: Jesus & Santa Are White   Diversity & Inclusion In LDS Art (First Name Basis Podcast Season 2 Ep 15)   Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN 

Are you serving or trying to save? In this episode I unpack white saviorism and the detrimental effect that it has on communities in our backyard and across the globe. If you want to transform your good intentions into confident action consider these 5 reflection questions: Is the organization I’m partnering with led by BIPOC? Where am I on my anti-racism journey? What preconceived notions do I have about the community I am serving?  When and how am I going to learn about the history of the community I am serving?  What is my attitude towards the people I am working with?  What am I going to do if my service begins to look more like saviorism?    Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram    Sources: What Is A White Savior Complex Me & White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad Britt Hawthorne Patreon Community  The White Savior Industrial Complex by Teju Cole No White Saviors  “Kill the Indian, Save the Man” Captain Richard H. Pratt How the US Stole Thousands of Native American Children LDS Indian Placement Program Things No One Tells You About Going On Short-term Mission Trips When Helping Hurts   Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN  

You asked and we answered! Carter and I are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and in the most recent General Conference Church leaders began to speak more directly about racism, unity, and inclusion. Many of you asked us to share our reactions to two talks in particular, so in this episode we break down our thoughts and feelings about President Oaks & Elder Cook's General Conference talks. We also answer three of your questions: How do we "point out the mess" without invalidating the good? How do we give mercy to leaders trying their best? Is the Church making progress? How should it move forward? President Oaks: Love Your Enemies  Elder Cook: Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity  Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode! First Name Basis Website Join us on Instagram  Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN 

You know that feeling you get when you’re surrounded by pine trees, breathing the crisp mountain air, and feeling the stresses of everyday life slowly melt away? Well, unfortunately that feeling is not afforded to everyone. Studies have shown that BIPOC families do not spend as much time enjoying national parks and public lands as white families do. This fact can be traced back to racism, a lack of representation, and our nation’s history of segregation. In this episode Preethi Harbuck of @localpassportfamily and I unpack the study “People of Color and Their Constraints to National Parks Visitation” and discuss ways that families can make the outdoors more inclusive.  Connect with Preethi at Local Passport Family  People of Color and Their Constraints to National Parks Visitation   Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vandalized With ‘Black Lives Don’t Matter’ Sign   9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher    Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Make sure to join our Patreon Community to take part in our monthly Q&A sessions and download the detailed notes from this episode!   First Name Basis Website   Join us on Instagram  Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN   

The story that we learned about Christopher Columbus could not be further from the truth. He was a colonizer, enslaver, and sex trafficker who committed genocide against Indigenous Peoples. Don’t believe me? Listen in and decide for yourself.   In this episode we discuss: Common myths about Christopher Columbus The 3 reasons why Columbus’ crusade was different from others who had traveled to the Americas  What happened once Columbus arrived  The origins of Columbus Day in the United States Ideas about what we should do in response to this violent history  **Trigger Warning** Violence against BIPOC Free Thanksgiving Teaching Resource & Harvest Festival E-book   Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community   Join us on Instagram Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen (affiliate link)    Rethinking Columbus   How Columbus Sailed into U.S. History, Thanks to Italians   Who Were the Olmec?   Whose History Matters? Students Can Name Columbus, But Most Have Never Heard of the Taino People   Taino: Indigenous Carribeans    Christopher Columbus and the Doctrine of Discovery   Resource Guide: Abolish Columbus Day: Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples   UN Definition of Genocide   The History of Columbus Day   Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means that us parents are faced with the question of what to tell our children about this (somewhat controversial) holiday. You probably remember having a part in the annual school play reenacting the “First Thanksgiving” and you know that’s no longer (and never was) appropriate because it paints a pretty inaccurate picture of what happened all those years ago. But if that’s not what happened, what did? In this episode I share what I’ve learned about the untold story of what actually happened during that harvest festival in the autumn of 1621.  I cover: -The events leading up to the harvest festival, including the initial meeting between the Europeans and the Wampanoag people  -The role of Tisquantum (Squanto) -The festival itself and the events that followed  -Sarah Josepha Hale-The Mother of Thanksgiving  -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-an American poet who carefully crafted the romanticized version of the Thanksgiving story Download the FREE Harvest: Festivals Around the World E-book Harvest: Festivals Around the World is an interactive ebook that teachers about 4 different harvest festivals. Each page teaches about a different festival and has links to videos, songs, and art that you can enjoy with your kiddos!   Download the FREE resource guide to share with your child’s teacher so that they can accurately teach about Thanksgiving    Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community   Sources used and articles referenced: Why I’m Not thankful for Thanksgiving by Michael Dorris Rethinking Columbus -This book contains the article: Plagues, Pilgrims, and the Truth About Thanksgiving by James w. Loewen Beyond Heroes and Holidays Plimoth Plantation Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class Episode: Sarah Josepha Hale & Godey's Lady's Book Sidedoor: A Podcast from the Smithsonian  Episode: That Brunch in the Forest The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow   Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN

On the surface cultural appropriation might not seem very harmful, but when you peel back the layers it is clear that cultural appropriation is a function of racism and perpetuates white supremacy. In this episode I have a real and unfiltered conversation about the intersection between cultural appropriation and white supremacy with Michelle Franzoni-Thorley from @florafamiliar.  The Spanish Caste System: The Racial Caste System in Colonial Spanish Mexico   Pride & Anxiety in New Spain   When Worlds Collide: The Caste System Join the First Name Basis Patreon Community Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN 

Cultural appropriation can be so confusing. We all want to learn about and celebrate other cultures while making sure we don’t cross any lines or embrace stereotypes and caricatures. In this episode I answer the 5 most common questions that I get from you about cultural appropriation. We cover everything from authentic cultural artifacts to costumes. This episode will bring you the clarity you need to make sure you are appreciating and not appropriating.   When I ask cultural insiders about appropriation I always get different answers, how do I navigate that? How do I avoid appropriating when it comes to children's costumes? When is it acceptable to wear authentic cultural artifacts? How can I support the Black economy without appropriating? What do I do if I realize that I've been purchasing appropriated items?   First Name Basis Patreon Community    First Name Basis Instagram   Season 2 Episode 16, How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation   Think Before You Appropriate    So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo*   Season 2 Episode 11, Cinco De Mayo Is NOT Mexican Independence Day Arizona’s ban on Mexican American studies was racist, U.S. court rules Arizona judge declares ban on ethnic studies unconstitutional   Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes) by Mindy Kailing How to dress your Pākehā child up as Maui or Moana without appropriating Pasifika culture Please don’t tell your kids they can’t dress as Moana this Halloween   Opposition to my opinion on costumes: PSA: Don’t Let Your Kids Dress Up In These Costumes Why your white kid probably shouldn’t dress up as Moana for Halloween   Traditional Cultural Clothing: Little Koto’s Closet by Emi Ito   Appropriation of Indigenous Culture  Podcast with Robin Wall Kimmer   The Complicated History of the Moccasin    4 Ways  to Honor Native Americans Without Appropriating Our Culture  Alternatives to Freshly Picked Moccasins:  LL Designs  Wiwinu *affiliate link   Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams and “Dive Down” by VYEN

I have heard from so many of you that this election season has left you feeling confused and overwhelmed. That is completely understandable, 2020 has been a year full of uncertainty and turmoil, to say the least. Even though there is so much going on around us it is critical for all of us to cast our vote and use our voices during this election season. Voting is a precious right and it is our responsibility as citizens to go to the polls with as much information as possible. In this episode I will walk you through my 4 step action plan to become an informed voter! My hope is that after listening to this episode you will feel empowered to confidently complete your ballot and fulfill your civic duty.  Step 1: Put time on your calendar  Step 2: Decide on your non-negotiables  Step 3: Use your voting tools  Step 4: Write down who you voted for   Download the FREE Voting Action Plan    Podcast U Free Podcasting Classes   Podcast U Blog Post   Media Bias Chart: Static   Media Bias Chart: Interactive    3 in 30 Podcast: How to Have Grace-filled Political Conversations    Dr. Martin Luther King Letter From a Birmingham Jail Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood 

Our little Holly Jane was born on August 14th and in this episode we share her birth story! It was absolutely magical (even though we are in the middle of a pandemic) and we are so excited to be a family of four.    CDC-Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy Related Deaths   Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood

Now more than ever women and girls are being encouraged to share their gifts, talents, and intelligence with the world in spectacular ways! So what does it look like to have a wildly successful career all while raising a family? This week on the podcast I sit down with my mom, Dr. Leslie Telfer, a clinical psychologist who spent 30 years working at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Telfer specialized in serving veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and she shares in the episode that this is no coincidence. Listen to hear how she found her way to psychology and how she balanced working in trauma with being a mother, wife, daughter, and friend.    Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood   

Representation is critical for all children in all spaces. Children can’t be what they can’t see, so they all need to see and experience people of many different backgrounds leading happy and successful lives. This week on the podcast I have the opportunity to interview Mijha Godfrey, the founder of Jambo Books. Mijha is a former affordable housing developer, lawyer and founder of Jambo Books. Jambo, which means both “hello” and “welcome” in Swahili, is a book subscription service for children aged 0 – 13 where all the books feature lead characters who are children of color.  The stories in Jambo Books focus on the beauty of childhood, the joys of friendship and family, the thrill of new adventures, the wonderful tapestry that is the life of a Child of Color.     Mijha is passionate about helping parents raise children who won’t need to be taught how to tolerate people who are different from themselves because they will expect and enjoy healthy inclusion. Jambo Book Club members will recognize the same humanity in those who may not share their experiences that they see in those who do.    During the interview we discuss: The origin story behind the Jambo Book Club The power of representation for all children  The importance of reading books about Children of Color that do not focus on race/social justice and just depict children leading everyday lives The balance between teaching children about the realities of racism while also giving them opportunities to experience joy and just be kids    Click here to check out the Jambo Book Club! Jambo Books on Instagram  Jambo Books on Twitter   Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood   

Our country is in the midst of a social revolution. People everywhere are standing up and fighting for racial equity and part of the protesting has included taking down statues of people who have had a hand in the oppression of marginalized communities. In this episode we discuss the founding of our country, the violence that accompanied that founding, and why we have to take that violence seriously. Listen to hear a perspective you may not have considered about what these statues represent and how we can change them to better reflect our community as a whole.    How Slavery Affected African-American Families    Genetic Consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the Americas    Slave Nation: How Slavery United the Colonies and Sparked the Ameican Revolution   How the Constitution was Indeed Pro-Slavery   GOP Senator Under Fire For Comment that Slavery was ‘Necessary Evil’   1619 Project   Whose Heritage? 153 Years of Confederate Iconography    Princeton & Slavery: James Madison   The Founding Fathers and Slavery   Why Thomas Jefferson’s Anti-Slavery Passage was Removed from the Declaration of Independence    George Washington, Slavery, ‘The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret’    Advertisement for the Capture of Ona Judge   Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood   

Cancel culture is difficult to define and widely viewed in a negative light. It could be defined as a modern form of protest or boycott and therefore it has an important role to play in fighting for justice. In this episode we will define cancel culture, discuss when cancellation is called for, and provide suggestions on what to do if you get canceled. Defining Cancel Culture:  Cancelling could mean: getting called out, getting called out publicly, losing social media followers, getting fired, getting boycotted, physical threats, having your statue torn down, etc.    When is cancellation called for?  Where to draw the line Many Americans have a negative view of cancel culture, but some say it is a way to hold people accountable.   Social media has provided a platform to many people who have been denied a platform in the past.  New voices are being heard, especially from people who have been marginalized.   “Everyone thinks there are lines.  The question is where are those lines and who gets to draw them.” - Osita Nwanevu   What if I get canceled?  Examine your words/behaviors that are being called out and ask yourself two simple questions: First, were you right or were you wrong? And second, if you were right, is this worth sacrificing for?    Sources “What It Means to Get ‘Canceled’.” Lizza, Ryan. “Americans tune in to ‘cancel culture’ -- and don’t like what they see.” Politico, July 22, 2020. Rowling, J.K., Margaret Atwood, Noam Chomsky, David Brooks, Malcolm Gladwell, Salman Rushdie, Gloria Steinem, Fareed Zakaria, et al. “A Letter on Justice and Open Debate.” Harper’s Magazine. July 7, 2020. Butler, Danielle. “The Misplaced Hysteria About a ‘Cancel Culture’ that Doesn’t Actually Exist. The Root. Oct. 23, 2018. Owens, Ernest. “Obama’s Very Boomer View of ‘Cancel Culture’”. The New York Times. Nov. 1, 2019. Further Reading Binkowski, Brooke, et al. “A More Specific Letter on Justice and Open Debate.” The Objective, July 7, 2020. Chiu, Allyson. “Wall Street Journal staffers asked the editorial board for more accuracy. The board bemoaned ‘cancel culture.’” Washington Post. July 24, 2020. Hagi, Sarah. “Cancel Culture Is Not Real -- At Least Not in the Way People Think.”  Time. Nov. 21, 2019. Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Instagram “I think the conversations around cancel culture are missing the point. Powerful people have been ‘cancelling’ for centuries, they just used terms like ‘colonising’ or ‘civilising.’ The ‘cancel culture’ of today is nowhere near as dangerous as ‘cancellation’ has been for millions around the world. What we are seeing now is individuals being forced to be accountable for their actions, called out by folks who traditionally haven’t had much structural power. The reality is that those ‘called out’ individuals may experience discomfort, but materially their lives will remain intact- they will still be able to work and earn money, sell the product,etc."   Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood    

In this first episode of our 3 part cancel culture series we lay a foundation for the conversation by getting clear about the difference between calling someone out and calling someone in. We get down to the brass tacks of when it is your responsibility to call someone in/out and how to do it. The episode concludes with helpful guidelines about what to do if you get called out for a mistake you’ve made.    This Book is Anti-Racist By Tiffany Jewell    Season 2 Episode 21: How You Can Support Anti-racist Educators   Firstnamebasis.org    Song Credit: “Away” by Geographer and “Beach Disco” by Dougie Wood    Make sure to tune in next week for the second episode of the series where we break down cancel culture and the effect that it is having on our community and the movement.    Interested in a collaboration? Please email hello@firstnamebasis.org