So Far, So Good

In this episode of the podcast, Kerri and Kayla talk with their illustrious producer (and graduate assistant extraordinaire) Anna Rakos about loss, longing, and REM state rendezvous. We want to thank Anna for two years of faithful podcast production and perpetually delightful discussions. Anna brings the song  Saw You in a Dream  by The Japanese House.   Content Warnings: Discussions of gender ide...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Will Ward about challenging gender binaries and the intersection of faith and queerness. Will Ward is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works primarily with children and adolescents. He is also an adjunct faculty member and current PHD candidate at the Garland School of Social Work. He brings with him the devotional portrait of Matthew Shepard by arti...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Kevin Villegas about poetry, philosophy, and beauty.  Dr. Kevin Villegas is the Dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division of Student Life Initiatives at Baylor. He brings several Mary Oliver poems to discuss memorization, meditation, and the true self.  Content Warnings: None Reference material: A Thousand Mornings Quotes by Mary Oliver  &  New an...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Jaja Chen about community, cultural representation and Asian-American experiences. Jaja is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, co-owner of Cha Community, president and founder of the Asian Leaders Network in Waco, and a Garland School of Social Work alum. She brings the memoir  Crying in H Mart  by Michelle Zauner to discuss the diverse ways in which famil...

In episode 2 of season 3, Kerri and Kayla talk with Mary Zane Nelson about generational love, healing and motherhood. Mary Zane is a Postpartum Doula and the Project Director for the BEAR Project at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She brings the digital painting, "Ancestral Healing" by Tarn Ellis to discuss feminine nurturing figures, mothering without a mother, and the joys...

We're back for Season 3! In this first episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Coretta Pittman about intersectionality, privilege and the beauty of knowing that, “We are all a little strange.” Dr. Pittman is the Associate Dean for Diversity and Belonging in the Baylor University College of Arts & Sciences. She brings the novel  The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store  by James McBride to discu...

In this episode, Kerri hosts our very own Kayla Mize to talk about personality traits, motherhood, pregnancy, and boundary setting. Kayla is a community social worker in Waco. She brings Dawn Konofaos’s Instagram account @alevri.co to discuss baking, balancing rest and work, perfectionism, and being true to ourselves. Content Warnings: None Reference material:   Alèvri & Co Instagram  The vie...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Carolyn Cole about the universal experience of aging, new marginalization, and what it means to exist in the world. Carolyn Cole is a lecturer at the Garland School of Social Work. She brings the poem "Don’t Hesitate" by Mary Oliver to discuss ageism, meaning-making, and translating joy into hope.  Content Warnings: Brief mentions of death (non-...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Elise Edwards about meditation, meaning-making, commitment to new life and the commonality of grief. Dr. Edwards is an assistant professor at Baylor University and teaches Christian ethics and theology courses in Baylor’s Department of Religion. She brings the documentary  Aftershock  (2022) to discuss Black maternal health and wellness, hypervigilanc...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Abby Waters about gender exploration, brave spaces, internal interrogation, and engaging with empathy and humanity. Abby is a local social worker and a graduate of the Garland School of Social Work. They bring the poetry book  Your Wound, My Garden  by Alok Vaid-Menon to discuss tensions of the body and deconstructing gender through fashion. Content Warni...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Jazmine Reed about universal experiences, self-actualization, and the journey of discovery. Jazmine is a two-time graduate of the Garland School of Social Work and a Care Case Manager with the Baylor care team. She brings the album "American Bollywood" by Young the Giant to discuss racial identity development and what it means to be a “third cul...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. David Pooler about connection, joy and being “moved at the deepest level”. Dr. Pooler has been a professor at the Garland School of Social Work for 14 years and has 20 years of social work practice experience. He brings the Documentary Black Travel Across America to discuss resilience, transformation, and what it means to live “in spite of”. Content W...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Kasey Ashenfelter about biracial identities and “finding our roots”. Kasey Ashenfelter is the director of Foundation Relations for Baylor University. He brings  All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir  by Nicole Chung to discuss trans-racial adoption and what it means to belong. Content Warnings: None Reference material:   https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/3...

WE'RE BACK WITH SEASON 2! In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Carrie Arroyo about introversion, counter-culture mothering, and divine femininity. Carrie Arroyo is a social work practitioner and senior lecturer at Baylor University's Garland School of Social Work. She brings the painting "Generosity" by Melanie Weidner to discuss receiving, giving, nurturing and keeping.  C...

Bonus Episode:  “The Joke”  with Aaron Mize In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Aaron Mize, CEO of Communities In Schools of the Heart of Texas, about power dynamics and the importance of engaging with and believing the life experiences of others. For discussion, Aaron brings the song "The Joke" by singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile. Referenced Material: Brandi Carlile's Grammy perf...

In this episode, Kayla hosts our very own Kerri to talk about size privilege , health indicators outside of thinness, & seeing the image of God in every body, at every size. Kerri is a senior lecturer and DEI consultant at the Garland School of Social work. Kerri has been with the Garland School for seven years and enjoys both academic and creative writing. She brings the first six episod...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Morgan Strehlow about the nuances of bodies, intersectionality, appreciating versus objectifying, and "ideal" bodies from a cultural and historical lens. Morgan is the MSW Program Manager for the Garland School of Social Work. Morgan is also an avid blogger, podcaster, and lover of justice. She brings a podcast by Maria Garcia called "Anything for Selena"...

In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa about exploring the beautiful and complex relationship between culture, religion, social constructs and identity. Dr. Esparza Ochoa is the director of the Program on Religion and Latin American Studies at Baylor University. He is on faculty at the Garland School and studies global religious change and impact. H...

Episode 4:  “Student of Story”  with LeAnn Gardner —In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with LeAnn Gardner about the luxury of religious opinion, the universal connection of the mothering spirit and empowering families of transgender children. LeAnn is a lecturer and associate director of Field Education for the online Garland School of Social Work MSW program. She is a clinical social...

A quick intro to the new #diversity and #engagement podcast from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at #Baylor University. #gsswsofarsogood

Episode 3:  “... And Make Them Eat it!”  with Deborah De Laurell In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Deb De Laurell about RuPaul's Drag Race, the bravery of queerness and the persisting question "do I fit?" Deb is the Global Mission Leadership program manager for the Garland School of Social Work. Deb also provides support to the associate dean of Academic Affairs in the MSW Progr...

Episode 2: “Little Girl Blue” with Dr. Jon Singletary In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Jon Singletary about white tears, the power of music, and “what is ours to do”. Dr. Singletary is the dean of the Garland School of Social Work. He brings the music of Nina Simone to discuss. Reference links: “Little Girl Blue” Performance , Questlove Documentary Trailer The views and opinions expr...

So Far, So Good : Engaging diversity and difference one story at a time  In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Crystal Diaz-Espinoza about bodies, empowerment and adultism. Dr. Diaz-Espinoza is the director of Enrollment, Career and Alumni Services at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work @ Baylor University. The piece of art she brings to discuss this week is C is for Consent b...

Welcome to So Far, So Good. This introductory episode explains the premise behind the podcast itself along with the structure of each episode you will hear. We hope you will enjoy engaging diversity and difference with us one story at a time.