Humanize: Stories from the Heart about Social Justice

Will the guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd spark reform and improve the systemic issues that BIPOC face when interacting with police? There's still a lot of work to do, but the ruling is a step in the right direction to create accountability in policing. In this episode, join us as we reflect on the Chauvin trial ruling, what it means for the fight for justice and fre...

We heard some profound truths in our conversation last week with rebel, activist, and speaker Dr. Melissa Bird. She left us wondering about how to heal generational trauma, and what we can do to truly understand (and meet) the needs of the communities we serve. In this episode, we're diving deeper into these ideas by reflecting on the MOST impactful quotes from Dr. Bird, why self-care is key to re...

There is always a way to make a difference. Just ask our guest this week, activist Dr. Melissa "Missy" Bird — the CEO of Natural Born Rebel and a fierce public speaker on a quest for equality and justice. From protesting on a corner to creating a law, Missy is dismantling the structures in our society through compassion & education to empower women and people on the margin. On this episode, she's...

Making progress to understand and accept people of ALL cultures is becoming a life or death situation. Questions still linger as people wonder if they are safe in their communities, and whether the police officers they rely on will responsibly protect and serve. On this episode, we're digging deeper into police perceptions with 2 powerful clips from last week's episode, what we believe police need...

Are you willing to risk what is uncomfortable for what is right? This week we're talking with Katrina Miller, a filmmaker, producer, and owner of Blackat Video Productions, who joins us to talk about her film "This Is [Not] Who We Are" — a documentary that takes a deeper look at the unprogressive reality of being Black in Boulder, Colorado. On this episode, Katrina shares why she is using her pass...

What does it take to speak freely and address the problems faced by BIPOC in our society? In this episode, we're digging deeper into this question, inspired by our conversation with last week's guest - pastor, rapper, and poet, Pedro S. Silva II. His phrase, "deranking conversation," got us thinking about what it means to have power and use it to better understand individual perspectives, so we ca...

For Pedro S. Silva II, the ability to use his voice as a pastor, poet, and rapper has allowed him to engage his community in open conversations about race and social issues. He's been getting the word out creatively — both online and face-to-face — to help others stay aware of the social justice dilemmas facing BIPOC. In this episode, he's sharing the life-changing experiences that have inspired h...

We're breaking it down on this very first "debrief" episode about some of the biggest takeaways from last week's conversation with CEO and podcaster Khrystal Jones. She shared some mic-drop worthy advice on why you NEED to align with your core values, and not with the "shoulds" that society creates for you. We're continuing the dialogue to dig deeper into some of these ideas — as well as some comp...

We're kicking off season 2 with a little something different for you, and we're keeping it in the family! On today's episode, we're joined by Courthney's little sister, Khrystal Jones. She's the founder and CEO of Diamonds in the Rough Services for Youth and Families and the podcast host of Sex Talk with Khrys, and today she's joining us to break down the idea of individual liberation. Get ready f...

As we bring the first season to a close, it's time to reflect on the honest conversations we've had so far on Humanize. What started as a concept has truly grown into a platform for open discussions about the racial and social issues facing us from interracial perspectives. Join us on this episode as we look back to the beginnings of Humanize, our reasons for working together, and our highs and lo...

What's the difference between being an ally and an accomplice when it comes to anti-racism work? On today's episode, we're getting personal and exploring the differences between them, our own backgrounds, why BIPOC and allies will NEVER be the ones to dismantle white supremacy — and who will instead.   We're exploring: The mixed messages Emily got from her mother about race and what it's like to c...

Have you ever wanted to speak out and take a stand about race, decolonization, or your own work on the path to becoming an accomplice, but felt a lot of fear around what others would think and how it would affect you, your family, or your business? If so, you aren't alone.   It can feel very scary to speak openly and vulnerably about racism; whether you are BIPOC or white. Our desire behind doing...

So much happened last week in this country that we just had to create a bonus episode to share our conversation around it. For the first time in history, Georgia is blue with its first Black man as senator! And on the same day, hypocrisy and entitlement were on parade at the Capital as a mass of vastly white Trump supporters rioted and looted there. So on today's episode, we're breaking down the b...

Are we actually ALL racist? What would the country be like if we all owned that? Would we act differently? Would we be able to move toward change quicker? On today's episode, Courthney and Emily are exploring this question, why America has such a hard time accepting our history in order to make change moving forward, and how to start moving toward a community that is working towards empowerment in...

Are you wondering how a prep school-raised white girl from Boston and a Black man from Atlanta like us teamed up to collaborate on a mission to work towards progression to help dismantle systems of oppression? On today's episode, we're bringing you a "getting to know us" episode and diving into the yin and yang that is us, our stories, how we met, and what brought us together on this journey.   We...

How far are we from a truly just society in the United States, really? We believe it's time to talk about TRUE justice because we aren't as close as some people think we are. On today's episode, we're exploring what justice REALLY means, the glaring disparities we see, and the ONE most important step in making true change in the system. We're digging into: The roles media and leadership play in th...

How far has denial gotten you in YOUR life? On today's episode, we're diving into this difficult but important topic and taking on looking at denial when it comes to racism, where it crops up, and why it's so important to talk about it — even when it's uncomfortable. We're exploring: One example of when Courthney experienced (and confronted) racism and the denial from his colleagues Silence vs den...

This election has likely felt both nerve-wracking and eye-opening. Join us for this pilot episode of the podcast as we explore what the 2020 election has exposed about the US and each of us, real and vulnerable conversations about white privilege, and the biggest lessons we can take away from this election. We're diving into: What it's been like for us to watch this election unfold The biggest pro...