Liberation is Lit Podcast

In this episode, we chat with journalist Nico Lang about their entry into journalism and their book 'American Teenagers.' Nico emphasizes the power of telling queer stories and the need for empathy to counteract harmful political rhetoric against trans youth. The conversation covers the importance of public support for independent journalism, the challenges of achieving authentic queer r...

In this episode, we have an insightful discussion with Dr. SaBrina Jeffcoat, founder of Royal African Company and a professor of social media technology at UAlbany. Dr. SaBrina shares her journey through the arts community, the motivation behind her fabric and jewelry company, and reflections on her academic pursuits in studio art and digital storytelling. She provides perspectives on balancing ar...

In this episode, EbonyJanice shares her personal journey of embracing softness and redefining work-life balance as an entrepreneur. She challenges the traditional hustle culture, emphasizing the importance of rest, self-care, and inspired work. Through her experiences, EbonyJanice illustrates the power of setting personal boundaries and following a spiritually aligned path. The discussion also hig...

In this episode, we speak with EbonyJanice about her book 'All the Black Girls Are Activists,' the concept of womanism, and the importance of love. EbonyJanice shares her views on the significance of names, freedom, and love, as well as the challenges of (not) balancing softness with activism in the Black community. The conversation delves into the influence of 'The Color Purple&apo...

In this episode, we interview author Deesha Dyer about her new book 'Undiplomatic' which explores themes of imposter syndrome and authenticity. Deesha shares her personal journey from growing up uncertain of her voice as a young Black girl to working in the White House and beyond. The conversation delves into the pressures of conforming to societal norms, the importance of representation...

Content warning- Child Sexual Abuse, explicit language In this episode, we chat with Alisa Zipursky about her work with survivors of child sexual abuse and her platform, Healing Honestly. We discuss the journey of healing through storytelling, building supportive communities, and maintaining boundaries. Alisa shares insights from her book 'Healing Honestly', navigating personal trauma, a...

In this episode, Zakiya dives into the challenges Black women face in the startup phase, especially in securing financial support despite recognition and accolades. She stresses the importance of prioritizing financial stability, the need for community-driven solutions over systemic dependence, and the power of radical love and ancestral guidance. Tune in to hear insightful advice on community imp...

Content Warning: Violence Against Youth In this episode we talk with Zakiya, an activist, organizer, and advocate from Columbia, SC. We discuss Zakiya's work with Sowing Seeds, an organization dedicated to providing support and resources for young people, particularly those involved with the juvenile justice system. Zakiya shares her personal story of overcoming challenges, the importance of...

In this insightful episode, we speak with Victoria Wood, the creator of BiblioLifestyle and The Reader's Couch podcast, as well as the organizer of the Epigraph Lit Fest. Victoria shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a healthcare career to a literary passion, her experiences as an immigrant, and the development of her various book-related projects. The discussion dives deep into...

In this episode, we sit with Dr. Artika Tyner, a civil rights attorney, bookstore owner, publisher, writing coach, and children's book author. Dr. Tyner shares her inspiring journey from growing up in the Rondo community in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to founding the 'Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore.' She discusses the importance of promoting literacy, diversity, and...

In this episode of the podcast, Tayler interviews Barbara Howard. They discuss Barbara's journey from a political science major with ambitions to change the world to becoming a successful author of clean, cozy mysteries. Barbara talks about her books that explore themes such as gentrification, foster care, and homelessness and how her characters navigate these issues. Learn about Barbara’s wr...

In this episode, Tayler welcomes Shawn, the creative mind behind Cartoon Junkyard, home of Mission: Jam and Jelly and Super Rap . They delve into Shawn's passion for animation and storytelling, discussing how his love for imagination and his experiences working in schools inspired him to create stories that encourage children to embrace their creativity. He emphasizes the importance of mainta...

In this episode, host we have a profound conversation with poet and storyteller Tammaka about the impact of storytelling and poetry on social change. Tammaka shares insights on their journey as a spoken word performer and artivist, focusing on themes of race, gender, sexuality, and activism. They also discuss their work as a sex educator and founder of YASÉ, a project aimed at empowering youth thr...

In this episode of the Liberation is Lit podcast, host Tayler Simon speaks with poet AJ Johnson, also known as Moses Oaktree. The discussion revolves around AJ's journey as a writer, the scarcity of Black male representation in literature, and how this has influenced his work. AJ highlights the importance of community and collaboration in improving as a writer and mentions his free writing an...

Tayler has an insightful conversation with author and poet Blythe Krueger. They talk about Blythe's journey as a writer, her inspiration for creating impactful children's books and poetry collections, and her approach to addressing mental health and emotions through literature. Blythe also shares her experiences as a yoga instructor, upcoming projects, including a new poetry book, and he...

Author Lauren Wilson discusses her book Afro Bougie Blues , a collection of short stories highlighting diverse Black experiences. Lauren shares her journey from an engineer with a passion for writing to an author whose stories explore profound themes like abortion, PTSD, weight loss, and relationships. She describes how personal experiences and empathy for others' struggles fuel her storytell...

Marla Taviano talks about her journey from a deeply religious, conservative evangelical Christian background to a more socially aware and activist stance, emphasizing themes of racial justice, deconstruction of faith, and personal growth. Marla, originally living in a predominantly white environment and then in Cambodia for missionary work, recounts her awakening to racial issues following the kil...

This is the episode for writers! Tayler and Cassie discuss Cassie's journey as a poet, writer, and community leader. Cassie shared her thoughts on the intersection of writing and healing, expressing that writing creates profound connections and has the power to make individuals and communities well. Cassie also discusses her novel Beaver Girl, which was inspired by her experience during the p...

Sawyer Cole, author and memoirist, shares their journey of writing a memoir about their experiences as a queer person in the South. They discuss the process of writing, the impact it had on their understanding of their own identity, and the challenges they faced. Sawyer hopes that their memoir will provide support and community for queer individuals in the South and contribute to the broader conve...

In this episode, Shannon Ivey shares her journey into storytelling activism and coaching. She discusses the power of stories in amplifying voices, challenging norms, and fostering understanding. Shannon emphasizes the importance of representation and the need for diverse protagonists in storytelling. She also highlights the intersectionality between storytelling, activism, and personal growth. Sha...

When you think about writing and the power of storytelling what comes to mind? Well, for KB Brookins we were able to take a deep dive into their mind in this interview. We discuss social change, focus on marginalized communities and how it all ties into the world of writing. We also take a chance to look into the challenges we face as writers/poets who want to push the importance of advocacy to sa...

We sit down with poet and author Evelyn Berry about representation, poetry collections you need to read, and what it means to be an activist. Thank you for being part of the Liberation is Lit podcast! If you have stories to share, want to suggest topics, or just want to connect, find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @liberationislit or visit our website at liberationislit.com. If you enjoyed...

In this episode, host Tayler Simon interviews filmmaker and creator Catherine Joy White about her journey as a creator and storyteller. They discuss Catherine's book, Threads of Gold, which explores the interconnected stories of Black women throughout history. They also talk about the power of storytelling in activism and the importance of representation in creating a more liberated world. Ca...