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This conversation was recorded at Auburn Seminary's December 2019 Mountaintop Gathering in Oakland, CA. The creative force of gina Breedlove is as dangerous and delightful as this earth we share.​ Singer, Song​w​riter, Sound Healer & Medicine Woman​, gina was born in​ Brooklyn, NY. She began performing at age 15, singing back up for the incomparable Phyllis Hyman​. Since, gina has toured all over the world with artists who, like herself, define and redefine genre; Harry Belafonte, Toshi Reagon, Ronny Jordan, Ani Difranco, Craig Harris, and Sekou Sundiata, to name a few. Malkia Devich-Cyril is an award winning writer and public speaker on issues of digital rights, narrative power, Black liberation and collective grief; as well as the lead founder and former Executive Director of MediaJustice — a national hub boldly advancing racial justice, rights and dignity in a digital age. After more than 10 years of organizational leadership, Devich-Cyril now serves as a Senior Fellow at Media Justice. Devich-Cyril is also a sci-fi nerd, a communications strategist, a veteran in the movement for digital rights and freedom, a leader in the movement for Black lives and the widowed spouse of comedian and editor Alana Devich-Cyril, who died following an intense two year battle with advanced cancer. Malachi Larrabee-Garza is the Founding Director of Innovative Justice Solutions (IJS). In this role, Malachi provides strategic consultation to businesses and institutions, specializing in scaling operations and impact through cross-sector collaboration. Malachi is also proud to be a 2019-2021 Rosenberg Foundation Leading Edge Fellow, building reparations based projects within the emerging cannabis economy and the governance thereof. Editing by Wazi Maret and David Beasley. Production by Dan Greenman and Nora Rasman. Transcription help from Kolenge Fonge. Learn more, find transcript and more episodes at https://auburnseminary.org/fortification/.

The creative force of gina Breedlove is as dangerous and delightful as this earth we share.​ Singer, Song​w​riter, Sound Healer & Medicine Woman​, gina was born in​ Brooklyn, NY. She began performing at age 15, singing back up for the incomparable Phyllis Hyman​. Since, gina has toured all over the world with artists who, like herself, define and redefine genre; Harry Belafonte, Toshi Reagon, Ronny Jordan, Ani Difranco, Craig Harris, and Sekou Sundiata, to name a few. This episode discusses themes of sexual assault and violence. Please take care of yourself. Editing by Wazi Maret and David Beasley. Production by Dan Greenman and Nora Rasman. Transcription help from Kolenge Fonge. Learn more, find transcript and more episodes at https://auburnseminary.org/fortification/.

Rev. Dr. Traci C. West is Professor of Christian Ethics and African American Studies at Drew University Theological School (Madison, NJ). Traci is the author of Solidarity and Defiant Spirituality: Africana Lessons on Religion, Racism, and Ending Gender Violence (New York University Press, 2019), Disruptive Christian Ethics: When Racism and Women's Lives Matter (Westminster John Knox Press, 2006), Wounds of the Spirit: Black Women, Violence, and Resistance Ethics (New York University Press, 1999), and the editor of Our Family Values: Same-sex Marriage and Religion (Praeger, 2006). She has also published many articles and book chapters on sexual, gender, and racial justice, gender-based intimate violence, and clergy ethics. She has served on the editorial board of Journal for the Society of Christian Ethics, as co-editor of the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, on the Society of Christian Ethics Professional Conduct Committee, and the editorial board of T&T Clark Studies in Social Ethics, Ethnography, and Theology. This episode discusses themes of sexual assault and violence. Please take care of yourself. Learn more, find transcript and more episodes at https://auburnseminary.org/fortification/.

Rev. Jen Bailey is an ordained minister, public theologian, and national leader in the multi-faith movement for justice. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Faith Matters Network, a Womanist-led organization equipping community organizers, faith leaders, and activists with resources for connection, spiritual sustainability, and accompaniment. Jen comes to this work with nearly a decade of experience at nonprofits combating intergenerational poverty. Rev. Bailey is an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and serves locally on the staff of Greater Bethel A.ME. Church in Nashville, Tennessee. This episode was recorded pre-COVID. Please use health and safety guidance regarding the use of physical spiritual spaces referenced in this conversation. Editing by Wazi Maret and David Beasley. Production by Dan Greenman and Nora Rasman. Transcription help from Kolenge Fonge. Learn more, find transcript and more episodes at https://auburnseminary.org/fortification/.

Erica Woodland, LCSW is a black queer/genderqueer facilitator, consultant and healing justice practitioner who has worked at the intersections of movements for racial, gender, economic, trans and queer justice and liberation for more than 17 years. He is the Founding Director of the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, an organization committed to advancing healing justice by transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color. Learn more about his work at www.nqttcn.com and www.ericawoodland.com Editing by Wazi Maret and David Beasley. Production by Dan Greenman and Nora Rasman. Transcription help from Kolenge Fonge. Learn more, find transcript and more episodes at https://auburnseminary.org/fortification/.

Amber L. Hollibaugh is an American writer, filmmaker and political activist, largely concerned with feminist and sexual agendas. She is a self-described lesbian sex radical, ex-hooker, incest survivor, gypsy child, poor-white-trash, high femme dyke. Read more about her in My Dangerous Desires: A Queer Girl Dreaming Her Way Home. Learn more, find transcript and more episodes at https://auburnseminary.org/fortification/.

This conversation features co-hosts Cara Page and Caitlin Breedlove in conversation with organizers Shira Hassan, Mia Mingus and Sonali Sadequee. The conversation came out of the urgency of Black Lives Matter uprisings in Minneapolis, and across the US, to respond to the police murder of George Floyd and this moment of movement building to interrupt white supremacy, policing & state violence, and anti-Blackness. Many of us had reached out to each other, reflecting on the questions; what can abolition, survival and transformation look like in these Covid-Times? This podcast episode is the result; a reflection on the intersection between healing justice and transformative justice.  We began with these questions: what are healing and transformative justice? What is the difference between these two frameworks and where do they align? And how are both of these frameworks critical to understanding and practicing abolition work in this moment?  Learn more about the guests and find a transcript of the conversation at auburnseminary.org/fortification. This episode is part of an ongoing series in collaboration with Cara Page, Susan Raffo and Anjali Taneja. Learn more about their work at Healing Histories: Disrupting the Medical Industrial Complex. Editing by David Beasley and transcription support by Nora Rasman. Music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi

Some programming announcements and the new podcast from Auburn Seminary, "Friends for Life" where we learn how to live, thrive, love, and win through the 2020 election season and beyond.  In this episode Macky Alston and Lisa Anderson speak with Raquel Willis and Rev. Lawrence Richardson. Learn more - including a transcript and graphic recording from the convo at Auburn Seminary.

The conversation began with these questions: How do historical harms and abuses of the state and the medical industrial complex elevate the ways in which communities are criminalized? What are the historical roots and wounds of disease-based capitalism  in the U.S.? What has community dreamed and manifest based on these pasts? What do we need to know or pay attention to as this disease- and disaster-based economy uses this pandemic to fuel policing, surveillance, and eugenic ideas? To what end will COVID19 be used by the state against marginalized communities? Learn more about the guests. Find a transcript of the conversation.  This episode is part of a series in collaboration with Cara Page, Susan Raffo and Anjali Taneja. Learn more about their work at Healing Histories: Disrupting the Medical Industrial Complex. Editing by Wazi Maret www.wazimaret.com, transcription support by Kolenge Fonge and music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi.

The conversation began with these questions: What is the present economy of care and the economy of healthcare and what is being disrupted in this economy? Where are the fractures? Where are there new connections among different healthcare and healing systems and practices? What are you seeing that’s generative and transformative in the present moment? What was already there on the ground that is deepening? What are you seeing that’s transformative along and between borders? Learn more about the guests. Find a transcript of the conversation.  This episode is part of a series in collaboration with Cara Page, Susan Raffo and Anjali Taneja. Learn more about their work at Healing Histories: Disrupting the Medical Industrial Complex. Editing by Wazi Maret www.wazimaret.com, transcription support by Kolenge Fonge and music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi.

The conversation began with these questions: Where is this present moment taking us? What can we radically imagine for our future survival knowing what we know now? In times of crisis, seemingly impossible ideas become imaginable. What does or might the economy of healthcare, the collective practice of care, look like on the other side of this? What is your best and worst case scenario? What is the spiritual mandate of this new time? What is our charge moving forward? Learn more about the guests. Find a transcript of the conversation.  This episode is part of a series in collaboration with Cara Page, Susan Raffo and Anjali Taneja. Learn more about their work at Healing Histories;Disrupting the Medical Industrial Complex. Editing by Wazi Maret www.wazimaret.com, transcription support by Kolenge Fonge and music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi.

In our final conversation for Season 3, Caitlin spoke with Prentis Hemphill. The conversation touches on complicating innocence and guilt, transformative justice practices, movement culture and patterns and much more. Check it out. Prentis Hemphill is movement facilitator, Somatics teacher and practitioner, and writer living and working at the convergence of healing, individual and collective transformation, and political organizing. Prentis spent many years working with powerful movements and organizations, most recently as the Healing Justice Director at Black Lives Matter Global Network. referenced in this episode BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity) generative somatics Healing work & collaboration with Francisca Porchas Coronado & Mark-Anthony Johnson read more about Prentis on their website

In this conversation Caitlin speaks with John Fife about the opportunities and challenges faith institutions face in confronting empire, lessons from organizing in Southern Arizona and much more. The Rev. John Fife is a retired Presbyterian minister, human rights advocate and a founding patriarch of the Sanctuary Movement. Between 1982-92, some 15,000 Central Americans came through his church, Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz., seeking safe harbor or assistance after fleeing civil war and death squads in their home countries. Read more about his history of work here. referenced in the episode Southside Presbyterian Church No More Deaths // No Más Muertes latest from No More Deaths

In this conversation, Caitlin chats with Jen Harvey about possibilities for repairing harm caused by historic and current white supremacy, resource redistribution, parenting and more. Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey is a writer, educator and activist whose passion for just social change means she constantly returns to questions racial justice and white anti-racism. She teaches at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where she is the Faculty Director for the Crew Scholars Program. Dr. Harvey's books include Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in Racially Unjust America and Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation, she has published in a variety of public venues (including CNN.com and the New York Times), is active her local chapter of SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice), and is a widely sought after public speaker who is ordained in the American Baptist Churches (USA). You can follow her on twitter @drjenharvey. referenced in this episode Iowa City Showing up for Racial Justice Drake University Crew Scholars

We were able to speak with Krystal Two Bulls and Matt Howard in Spring 2019 about their work, leadership and movement with About Face: Veterans Against the War.  Krystal is an Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne woman who reminds us that what matters is what we fight for, not what we fight against. Krystal is a new member to About Face: Veterans Against the War, having joined in August 2018. She served in the US Army Reserves for 8 years and was deployed to Kuwait in 2009. Krystal is new to the anti-militarism conversation, but has significant knowledge and experience in environmental justice, Indigenous Sovereignty and social justice campaigns. She works to decolonize the approaches and methods that we utilize within movement spaces. Matt has worked with About Face: Veterans Against the War in various capacities since 2011 including as Chapter president in the Bay area, local organizer in Texas with the Operation Recovery campaign, as Communications Director and currently as Co-Director. He served in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic from 2001 to 2006 and deployed twice to Iraq where he became deeply opposed to the occupations and discovered a commitment to social change work.

In this conversation between Amita Swadhin and Caitlin Breedlove, we dive into choosing relationships and interdependence, building community and healing networks and the frequent failure of organizations to deal with and support folks who have experienced trauma and violence nor commit to building systemic solutions. This important conversation includes details about childhood sexual assault. Amita Swadhin is a queer, non-binary, femme South Asian American. They are an alchemist, storyteller, educator, organizer and strategist who channels their experience of surviving childhood rape and family violence into efforts to end rape culture and other forms of oppression. In 2016, they founded the National Mirror Memoirs project, centering LGBTQI+ people of color who survived child sexual abuse. There are 60 storytellers across 15 states in the initial audio archive. Learn more about, support and share Mirror Memoirs fundraising page to support this crucial work. referenced in this episode Mirror Memoirs Oral History Project How you can support Mirror Memoirs Care Work by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha Queering Sexual Violence: An anthology edited by Jennifer Patterson and with a foreword by Reina Gossett

We had the opportunity to connect with Kiyomi Fujikawa in Winter 2019 and it was such a treat. Check out this conversation with Caitlin Breedlove. Kiyomi Fujikawa is a Seattle-based, mixed-race queer trans femme who has been involved with movements to end gender- and state-based violence since 2001. Her political home is with queer and trans communities of color and organizing to prevent and respond to intimate partner violence. Kiyomi is currently on the board of Groundswell Fund and is a Grantmakers United for Trans Communities (GUTC) Leadership Development Fellow. She was most recently a Senior Program Associate at the Fund for Trans Generations at Borealis Philanthropy, and the Queer Network Program Coordinator at API Chaya. She is also an avid lover of speculative fiction, noodles, astrology (Saj Sun, Cancer-rising, Libra Moon), feelings, and do-it-yourself scavenger hunts. referenced in this episode: Third Wave Fund Wild Seed by Octavia Butler Kiyomi's book recommendations: Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars by Kai Cheng Thom An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin (5th Season, Obelisk Gate, Stone Sky) Salt Fish Girl by Larissa Lai Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor intro music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi. production by Nora Rasman.

Our hearty conversation between Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray and Caitlin Breedlove dives into humility, leadership, risk and institutional opportunity and threats. Check it out! Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray was elected President of the Unitarian Universalist Association on June 24, 2017. Prior to her election, she served as Lead Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, Arizona. Susan played a critical role in the long-term campaign to end the constitutional violations of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Susan received a Masters of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is a lifelong UU who grew up at in the St. Louis area. She lives now in Cambridge, MA with her husband, Brian and their son. Referenced in this conversation: Puente Arizona The Great Turning by Joanna Macy intro music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi. production by Nora Rasman.

We are thrilled to be bringing you this necessary reflection and invitation from Jessica Byrd in conversation with Caitlin Breedlove for our next episode. Jessica Byrd is the Founder and Chief Doer of the Three Point squad. She founded Three Point Strategies in 2015 to provide a home for electoral strategy that centers racial justice and is transformational rather than transactional. Jessica has worked on campaigns in 43 states and you can find her at the side of the most exciting races to elect Black women in the country, training hundreds of leaders, and building tools to serve the Movement. referenced in this episode: The Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Project Action St. Louis and the work & leadership of Kayla Reed  Stacey Abrams intro music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi. production by Nora Rasman.

In this episode Caitlin connects and speaks with organizer, researcher and lawyer Andrea Ritchie. Andrea Ritchie is a Black lesbian immigrant and police misconduct attorney and organizer who has engaged in extensive research, writing, and advocacy around criminalization of women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people of color over the past two decades. She recently published Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color now available from Beacon Press.  Ritchie is a nationally recognized expert and sought after commentator on policing issues. She is currently Researcher-in-Residence on Race, Gender, Sexuality and Criminalization at the Social Justice Institute of the Barnard Center for Research on Women. In 2014 she was awarded a Senior Soros Justice Fellowship to engage in documentation and advocacy around profiling and policing of women of color – trans and not trans, queer and not queer.  Referenced in this episode:  Andrea's Books: Invisible No More & Queer Injustice Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality against Black Women by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw and Andrea J. Ritchie adrienne maree brown Mariame Kaba The Mandate by Mary Hooks Octavia's Brood by Walidah Imarisha and adrienne maree brown Alexis Pauline Gumbs intro music by Abhimanyu Janamanchi. production by Nora Rasman.