SPNN Podcast

We know that things in life can suck. Because we live in a world  full of white supremacy, patriarchy, misogyny, and transphobia there are most likely times you feel alone, overwhelmed, afraid, ashamed, confused, or scared. Hopefully you also have times that you feel powerful, loved, connected, joyful, and full of dreams for the future. This episode is all about giving you some organizations, numb...

The sports and fashion industries affect athletes and the public simultaneously. We go into detail on trends, how people in sports get into the fashion world, the difference between sportswear and athleisure, and balancing power structures between the athletes and people in positions of power over them.   The Speaking of Youth series is a space for youth to host conversations and discuss the topic...

This podcast delves deep into how queer folks' personal household experiences has an effect on our mental health and overall wellbeing. We will be hearing the personal stories of young queer people from the Twin Cities that surround discussions of discovering and embracing having a queer identity, coming out, the importance of queer spaces, and growing up in a heteronormative society. We also disc...

Kaz Kohls (they/them) talks about gender affirming care with Rainbow Health's Director of Advocacy and Research Phil Duran (he/him). Duran shares the work he has done to advocate for incarcerated trans people, and what still needs to be done to improve the current system. RESOURCES  native-land.ca   MN Department of Human Services and gender affirming surgery MN Spokesman Recorder: The transgender...

This episode of Queering Community Health is about the process of searching for colleges as an LGBTQ+/queer person, as well as the facilities and policies currently put in place at various colleges. Four guests by the name of Ava, Zoey Haines, MC, and t. aaron hans are interviewed, each having a different perspective on this topic. Ava (she/her) is a current LGBTQ+ high school senior who is pursui...

We're so excited to welcome you to Season Two of Queering Community Health! Join Azul (they/them) as they hear some of this year's creators sharing about their episode topics, motivations, advice and more. RESOURCES Indigenous land histories, Indigenous voices and work, and land acknowledgements : Find out what Indigenous land you are on: https://native-land.ca/ Learn more about Land Acknowledgeme...

This solo episode covers corruption in soccer (football). We dicsuss a controversial fan chant in Mexico, the response from local and international football organizations, and how big organizations don't really mean what they say in order to make revenue. The Speaking of Youth series is a space for youth to host conversations and discuss the topics on their mind. This miniseries is all about sport...

This episode covers the main things to know about playing football. Our youth athlete answers all the basic questions you might have about football. Speaking of Youth is a space for youth to host conversations and discuss the topics on their mind. This miniseries is all about sports! To find more SPNN programs, head to spnn.org.

COVID has changed everyone's lives. In this episode, we cover how it has changed the way of school sports. Now with the mask mandates and regulations, sports don't feel the same anymore. Listen to find out the crazy rules that schools put in sports to help stop the spread of COVID. Speaking of Youth is a space for youth to host conversations and discuss the topics on their mind. This miniseries is...

The world of comedy needs some updating, Bo Burnham's new special isn't any different than what any other cis white straight male is bringing to the table. You can be creative without being a genius, and you can be funny without being cynical.   TW: Mention Louis C.K and Aziz Anzari sexual assault allegations    Resources: Comedians to check out: Robin Tran -Transwoman, Asian American  A Black Lad...

We air the last of three guest episodes - Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem THE FINALE. On this episode, Bisandi, Kai, and Tori dive even deeper into their data and discuss  their thoughts on the issues of inclusion, student feedback, and what to do as a team to introduce more gender inclusion into schools. Lastly, they invite the other half of their research team to come onto the show to share a l...

We air the second of three guest episodes from Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem. On this week's guest episode, All About The Data, Kai has a conversation with their fellow researchers about the survey data they all collected including the results, how they interpreted it and what it suggests we do to make schools truly gender inclusive. Kai ( @uncomplacentqueer ) hosted this episode and was joersi...

We air the first of three guest episodes from Gender School: Smash the Cis-tem. OutFront Youth Researchers Tori, Kai, and Bisandi have a conversation about what they wish we had access to in schools in order to make the spaces more gender inclusive and talk through the question, what is it that actually makes school environments inclusive and safe for Trans and Non-binary students? With the help o...

What impacts our physical, mental, political, and emotional wellbeing, and shapes the path forward for our LGBTQIA+/Queer communities? Representation. We know that having healthy, diverse, and accessible queer representation can make a world of a difference for LGBTQIA+/Queer youth, and truly queer communities of all ages. Of course, not all representation is positive and the consequences of poor...

In this episode we discuss the harm in biases and how they show up in stereotypes. How they seep into our everyday lives, and the shame and trauma that accompanies them. We hear from a Youth Shelter Care-Taker on how stereotypes and harmful biases affect youth. Learn how they occur, why they are harmful, and how unlearning stereotypes will help heal communities. Host: Mason, He/Him Socials: linktr...

Hosted by Elle, this episode centers the two stories of Heidi and Sam, both community members who have been diagnosed with PCOS- polycystic ovarian syndrome. Heidi and Sam share their journeys with getting diagnosed, dealing with that diagnosis, finding supportive doctors, and finding joy in their health conditions. This podcast highlights the interesting relationship between being non-binary or t...

In this episode of Queering Community Health, local artist Cedar Thomas (they/them) interviews a panel of local creatives to hear their experiences and advice regarding mental health, creativity, self-care and self-expression. Guests on this episode (in order of appearance): Vanessa McDuffie (she/her), an educator, writer and creator of the upcoming creative art space devoted to the queer BIPOC co...

In this episode of Queering Community Health, we're talking about how to advocate for yourself and your needs when finding a therapist and we introduce you to a great resource for when you need to find a doctor who is inclusive of LGBTQ+ health and identities. Join this week's host Azul (they/them) to hear a therapist at Reclaim help explain the process of finding a therapist and building your the...

In this episode Shift MN interns Mason, Rhea, Siena, and Will discuss various challenges that come with being part of the LGBTQ+/Queer community. Inspiration sparked from a meaningful conversation Will and their friend Reese had; distinctively this interaction included the phrase, "coming to terms'' - implying the struggle with accepting and embracing your own gender identity and or sexual orienta...

In this episode, our hosts interview  three members of the Minnesota LGBTQIA+/Queer community: Logan Sand, a certified sexologist, Lark Lekat, a sex educator and sex worker, and Carise Roatch, a Marriage and Family Therapist who works from a sex positive theoretical background. We discuss healthy relationships, body positivity, and how to use sex to help us find confidence and comfort in our queer...

The SPNN Podcast is joined by TPT's senior producer and partnership manager Dan Bergin. His productions include regional Emmy-winners such as "North Star: Minnesota's Black Pioneers," and "Legacy Letters." In this conversation, Dan shares his approach to filmmaking and exploring the disparities between race, class and place in Minneapolis.   For more of Dan's work, head to tpt.org . To find more S...

In this episode of the Queering Community Health Series, you hear from Zaraia Fabunmi the host of Queer Social Health: Going Out and Learning In. Hearing from three special guests: Helena Kouame, Annabelle Niblett, and Anonymous J. Doe. We have conversations of what it means to be a queer person with our outward expression, along with social trends, media, racism, and community. Helena is a 16 yea...

This episode of Queering Community Health is about how LGBTQ+/queer youth are treated within the education system and the issues that arise alongside them. Three guests by the names of Jennifer Parker, Ophir Gilad, and Kai Johnson are interviewed, each having differing relations to this topic. Jennifer Parker (she/her) is an assistant principal who has worked in education for over 20 years. Within...

In this episode we go into depth on shelter systems in Downtown St Paul during the pandemic. We hear from a Housing Assistant on the residents' access to basic needs such as food, clothing, and mental health. Learn the intake process and what makes one eligible for shelter and access to basic needs. Get informed on how people experiencing homelessness get mistreated and support can be hindered by...

One year after the first episode of the SPNN Podcast we revisit our first guest: Spoken Word Artist/Poet, Hip Hop Artist, and Educator Desdamona. This follow up conversation is hosted by Gabe V. and Michael H. and features talk about how artists survived the pandemic, new ways of teaching, and how the murder of George Floyd and others by the police have impacted our creative worlds.  And Desdamona...