Let's Talk: Conversations on Race

REPLAY! This was such a fantastic conversation with Melody Wollgren, who is biracial Korean. She speaks of growing up trying NOT to be Korean and the emotional dissonance that created.

This interview with Dr. Jenn Noble is FIRE! She is Sri Lankan and African American and she talks about parents helping their mixed-race kids know who they are so that they can claim a seat at MULTIPLE tables. Mixed kids can be secure in who they are, no matter how others perceive them. (This discussion is also hugely informative for transracial adoptive parents.)

Here I speak with Christin Harley, who grew up in a small white town and then married Charlton Harley, who grew up in Rochester's inner city. They came from wildly different worlds but fell in love anyway. Together they built a strong, happy marriage with six children.

This was SUCH a great conversation with Monique and Tom Franz. When Monique, who is African American and grew up in the inner city, and Tom, who is white and grew up in rural Maryland, first got married, they did indeed have a clash of cultures. Now, 33 years later, they enjoy a happy marriage where they appreciate what they each bring to the table. They've formed their own Monique and Tom culture...

In this rich interview, Dr. Lucretia Berry talks about the age when kids begin to show racial bias, what parents can do to help their kids to be inclusive and not fearful of those who are "different," and how she has taught her own biracial daughters to be culturally competent.

In this warm conversation, I speak with Rod Green, who grew up in a mostly white suburb and is now raising his kids in the same mostly white suburb. He tells us why he decided to stay and how he and his wife work to ground their kids in their identity.

This is a deep, rich conversation with Lara Provencal Capuano, mother of white biological and Black adopted children. She shares her reasons for adopting her sons and the things that she and her husband have learned along the way to help all of their children thrive.

This was a riveting, incredibly informative conversation with Anastasia, who is biracial (Black and white) and Jay, who is ethnically Chinese and culturally French and Chinese! Hear how they navigated some of their cultural differences to build a happy, strong marriage.

SEASON FINALE: In this last episode of Season 7, I talk to Ally Henny, vice president of The Witness: a Black Christian Collective, and author of I Won't Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You. We talk about her upbringing in rural Missouri, and her journey finding her voice in the wake of Michael Brown's murder.

Here Jenny Thomas tells her fascinating story of being biracial and transracially adopted. She talks about the racism she experienced from her birth mom, and the racial identity instilled in her by her adoptive mom. Hers is a story strength, overcoming and faith.

Here I speak with Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, CEO of Connected Communities, about a better way to lift impoverished communities. Toxic charity is... toxic!

On this episode, I speak with Author Tasha Jun about her recently released book, "Tell Me the Dream Again: reflections on family, ethnicity and the sacred work of belonging. " She talks about growing up rejecting her Korean heritage, learning to fully embrace it and now raising kids to know who they are. It was a rich, electrifying conversation!

In this episode I talk with author and playwright Monique Franz about the joys and challenges of interracial marriage and the common response of biracial people towards racial injustice.

In this episode we look at the troubling issue of book banning. School districts all over the country are banning books about important Black figures and racial justice. Is it ever ok to ban a book? Joining me is educational leader and therapist Kesha James.

Dr. Jemar Tisby joins us as we discuss his book, "How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Towards Racial Justice." Why does pursuing racial justice take courage? We also discuss the exodus of many Black Christians from the Evangelical church. Is racial integration in the church still a viable goal?

Listen in on this incredible with Maya Crane, founder and CEO of Maya Crane Solutions.  She talks with us about the work organizations have to do to not only attract but retain people of color.  This is the last episode of Season 6!  Enjoy and we'll see you in the spring!

In this SPECIAL EPISODE created in honor of Marvin Luther King Jr. Day,  we look at King's trip to Ghana, Africa, and discuss one of his less known speeches, as well as some poignant facts about his life. Joining me is one of my favorite interviewees, my son Ben! 

In this episode, I interview Pastor Dönnivon Dödd, youth pastor and youth counselor in the Rochester City School District.  Pastor Don is daily surrounded by teenagers and sees the highs and lows of Generation Z.  He brings us tremendous insight into their world.  If you have a teenager in your life, listen to this poignant episode!

What is gentrification and is it a good way to revitalize communities? Join me as I interview Pastor Melvin Cross.  It is a fantastic, rich conversation!

Here I interview Davné McCleary, social worker in one of Rochester's suburban school districts.  We discuss CRE and SEL: why are they necessary and why is there so much controversy over them? 

Listen in on  this engaging conversation between Stacey Green, Jobina Jones-McDonnell and me about the joys and complexities of being biracial.

It was phenomenal speaking with CEO Deb Hanmer.  In this episode we talk about her work helping parents advocate for their children and then we discuss the question of whether America truly is a meritocracy.

In this first episode of Season 6 I interview journalist and author Justin Murphy. We talk about why schools across the nation are still heavily segregated - some more than others.  Why does segregation persist and what can be done about it?

Race Replacement Theory says that white people are slowly being replaced in the US by non-white people.  Those who subscribe to this theory don't like that idea - at all.  They think that America is a white nation, that it should always be a white nation and that Black people, and other POC, do not belong here.  Black people have been told this for so long that many suffer from Imposter Syndrome,...

Marriage is on the decline throughout the Western world.  Why is that?  Why is marriage important, and if you are married, how can you safeguard your marriage?  What unique marriage challenges do Black people have?  Listen in on this riveting interview with LaShunda Leslie Smith who, with her husband, has been working to strengthen marriages for many years.