The CARMA Chronicles

In this podcast, host and Flourish Agenda's Executive Director Chris Nguon presents a reread of Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s influential essay on the transition from trauma-informed care to healing centered engagement. The text argues that traditional models often focus too narrowly on individual pathologies and past injuries, effectively defining young people by the worst things they have endured....

In this episode, we feature The Resilient Roots Podcast episode. Listen to their Host, El Dorado Charter SELPA Program Coordinator Sean Andrew, interview Resilient Roots Summit keynote speaker (and our very own) from Flourish Agenda, Dr. Lee Porscha Moore. Join us as they discuss the crucial part that Healing and Trauma Awareness plays in developing school and individual wellness in our communitie...

In this captivating episode, we are privileged to sit down with the incredibly talented Barbara Fant, who generously shares her intimate personal journey - from her humble roots growing up in the small town of Youngstown, Ohio, to navigating the bright lights and bustling energy of the entertainment capital of Los Angeles. Barbara's story is one of resilience, passion, and a deep-rooted conne...

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, host Chris Nguon delves into the dynamic intersection of art speculative visioning, and creative visual arts education, as explored through an insightful conversation with Los Angeles-based artist Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca. As part of the captivating Arts-based HCE mini-series, produced in partnership with the Los Angeles County of Arts & Culture an...

In this insightful podcast episode, listeners are invited into an intimate conversation with Stacie Amon Yeldell, a profoundly talented and inspiring music therapist. As part of the Arts-based HCE mini-series, produced in collaboration with the Los Angeles County of Arts & Culture and the L.A. Arts Ed Collective, this episode provides a captivating glimpse into Stacie's remarkable persona...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon has the privilege to be in community with Dr. Cory Greene, the co-founder of H.O.L.L.A., a nonprofit developed from the organizing work and political strategizing of people who served sentences in New York State Correctional Facilities. Cory is invested in developing, leading and implementing an-intergenerational youth led citywide and nationwide Healing Justice M...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon connects with Rasheedah Brown-Harris, who might very well be the most important guest we have ever had on the CARMA Chronicles. Rasheedah sits down with us straight from the Bronx and offers a beautiful and authentic look at how Healing Centered Engagement has impacted her, her family, and her community in New York City.    Rasheedah is a Parent Leader with the Pa...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon sits in community with Mariyam Bey, a beautiful soul out of Oakland who sways and moves from the heart in support for young people. A multi-year site coordinator for the Oakland Freedom Schools, Sista Bey shares this summer’s amazing achievements at her West Oakland site, explores the reality of leadership through a more heart-centered avenue, and talks about how...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon taps in with Dr. Shawn Ginwright, who recently released his latest book called The Four Pivots: Reimaging Justice, Reimaging Ourselves. The beautiful conversation centers on the journey of the book itself since its release, Shawn’s conversation with people all over the country about their reflections, learnings, and piqued ideas of the book, and new ideas that hav...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon has the honor to be in community with Kisai Henriquez, one of the dopest community healers that Flourish Agenda has had the pleasure to meet and learn from. Kisai, who has worked out of San Francisco for more than a decade, brings into the conversation space authentic love and grace for healing work and the communal connection that evokes the essence of holding sp...

This episode features Dr. Shawn Ginwright, Dr. Lee Porscha Moore and is hosted by Flourish Agenda’s Lead Content and Training Manager, Jane Lee. Our team went to The BOOST Conference in Palm Springs, California. This out-of-school time conference attracts thousands of youth development professionals from all over the world. This was recorded in front of a live audience and our team share stories a...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon talks implementation and the power of culture with the wonderful Cynthia Nambo, an amazing person and mother who holds space as an equity-centered facilitator, former principal, educator, and professional learning developer with more than 28 years in education.  Using systems thinking approaches, she has designed solutions for complex systems in education, race, g...

In this episode, we hold space in community with the joyful Evin Glaude, a dope community healer and the amazing coordinator of this year’s Family Camp. Sista Evin takes us on her exploration of identity, gives insight on how freedom and liberation are directly connected to choice, and the power that Akili programs have on community. One of the biggest rising stars in the healing profession, Evin...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon explores the world of art, creation, and healing through painting with renown local artist Dariane Beamon. Dariane, better known as Dari B the Artist, offers insight into her healing journey and how her love work – painting – is used as a vehicle for the healing and restoration of herself and the young people she has worked with in various school settings. Dari B...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon has the absolute honor to chat with Judith M. Hill, a dynamic program director with YouTurn, a brilliant violence prevention organization based out of Omaha, Nebraska. Judith takes us through her own healing journey over the years, including her pivot in how she views and integrates healing work as a leader in her organization and in her community. Judith also giv...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon taps in with United Playaz founder and executive director Rudy Corpuz Jr., who takes listeners on a journey two decades long in violence prevention and youth development work. Rudy is as transparent and honest as they come, lifting up his journey, trials and tribulations along the way stretching from his time growing up in San Francisco, his incarceration, and his...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon dives into the foundational elements of CARMA. Why is this podcast called the CARMA Chronicles? Where did the title originate? What does it stand for? And why is CARMA (C.A.R.M.A.) significant in healing work? We’ll also share two clips from Dr. Shawn Ginwright, including a poignant story about his experience working in a prison that encapsulates how Healing Cente...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon speaks to the multi-talented and proud Oakland native Aman Sebahtu. Aman comes into our conversation with a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and personal experience in both the justice reform, violence prevention, and healing centered fields. An attorney by trade by way of the University of San Francisco School of Law, Aman also works heavily with the City of Oakland...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon speaks to the dynamic Ree Botts-Ward. Ree is a renowned poet, artist, and educator, who is also a doctoral candidate at the University of California-Berkeley in the department of African American and African Diaspora studies. Ree's first book, mourning my inner[blackgirl] child, dives into Ree's personal healing journey as a young Black girl growing up o...

In this episode, host Chris Nguon speaks to the incredible and powerful Jenn Johns. Jenn is an artist and has shared line ups with some of the best in the business including the likes of Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Black Eyed Peas, Mos Def, Capelton, Ziggy Marley, Gil Scott Heron, Wyclef, Les Nubian, De La Soul, and Common to name just a few.   She has also worked with some of the world’s most respected...

Welcome to the first episode of Flourish Agenda's podcast! We want to start with setting a strong and grounded foundation in work that revolves around Healing Centered Engagement. What better way to do that than interviewing our Founder and CEO, Dr. Shawn Ginwright!