The Shift: Stories of Resistance + Resilience

This episode is one of Mark’s most personal conversations yet: a sit-down with his neighbor, his chosen family, and one of his favorite humans on the planet, Rigness Rush. Known simply as "Rig," Rigness is a health-centered space designer, social justice advocate, and visual artist whose fingerprints are on rooms you've walked into, campaigns that moved you, and communities that held...

Mark sits down with Dr. Norman Kim, a psychologist, DEI scholar, UN expert affiliate on LGBTQ rights, and co-editor of a new Oxford University Press book on anti-blackness, for a wide-ranging conversation about what resistance really looks like in this political moment. They dig into the model minority myth, what authentic allyship demands of people of color, the limits of Western medicine's a...

What does it mean to show up as a deeply loving, emotionally intelligent Black man in a world that wasn't designed to see you that way? In this rich conversation, host Mark Travis Rivera sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and podcast host Sheldon Gay to explore neurodivergence, Black identity, radical self-love, and the power of community in a world that often asks us to fragment ourselves....

In this special in-person episode of The Shift , Mark Travis Rivera sits down with one of Atlanta's most quietly brilliant minds, educator, facilitator, photographer, and movement creative entrepreneur Daniel Davis Edwards. What begins as a conversation about Daniel's multidisciplinary work quickly deepens into something rarer: an honest, unfiltered exploration of what real friendship look...

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , Heidi Clements joins Mark Travis Rivera for a bold, unfiltered conversation about aging, self-acceptance, and what it means to live authentically in a world obsessed with youth. Heidi shares her journey from a successful career in television to becoming a powerful voice on social media, where she uses fashion and storytelling to...

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , Natalie Poindexter joins Mark Travis Rivera for a powerful and honest conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, and what it truly means to become yourself. Natalie shares her journey from people pleasing and overgiving to building a life and business rooted in boundaries, clarity, and purpose. Drawing from her background in...

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , Dion Davis joins Mark Travis Rivera for a raw and layered conversation about authenticity, spirituality, and the journey of becoming yourself. Dion shares his path from being deeply rooted in evangelical ministry to ultimately stepping away in order to live fully and truthfully as a Black Latino gay man. He reflects on the intern...

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , Mayda Del Valle joins Mark Travis Rivera for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about creativity, loss, and returning to yourself. Mayda shares her journey of moving back home to Chicago to support her family, navigating caregiving, grief, and major life transitions while questioning her identity as an artist. She opens...

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , Dr. Alysia Harris joins Mark Travis Rivera for a powerful, thought-provoking conversation about poetry, storytelling, and the transformative power of personal testimony. Dr. Harris shares her perspective on resistance as a creative, evolving dialogue rather than simple opposition. She invites connection, imagination, and deeper u...

In this episode of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , Aida Rodriguez joins Mark Travis Rivera for a deeply personal and unfiltered conversation about identity, survival, and what it means to claim your legitimacy. Aida reflects on growing up in a family rooted in service, resilience, and protection, and how those early experiences shaped her understanding of resistance—not as perfor...

In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera welcomes Sydney Baloue, a multifaceted artist and advocate, to discuss themes of resistance and resilience in today's socio-political climate. They explore personal experiences of vulnerability, the importance of community, and the impact of political narratives on marginalized identities. Sydney shares insights into family estrangement and the...

In the Season Two premiere of The Shift: Stories of Resistance and Resilience , host Mark Travis Rivera sits down with author, death doula, and Emmy-nominated writer Darnell Lamont Walker. The conversation explores how facing mortality can help us live more fully, connect more deeply with others, and approach grief with honesty and compassion. Darnell shares insights from his book Never Can Say Go...

In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera opens up about his journey as a storyteller, exploring themes of resistance and resilience. He shares personal anecdotes about his identity, the impact of his disability, and how writing has been a refuge throughout his life. Mark discusses his early experiences in journalism, the challenges he faced, and the importance of representation in sto...

In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera opens up about his journey as a storyteller, exploring themes of resistance and resilience. He shares personal anecdotes about his identity, the impact of his disability, and how writing has been a refuge throughout his life. Mark discusses his early experiences in journalism, the challenges he faced, and the importance of representation in sto...

In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera engages in a deep conversation with leadership disruptor Ted Santos. They explore the importance of storytelling in leadership, the dynamics of resistance and resilience, and the impact of culture on organizational success. Ted shares his unique perspective on personal growth, the significance of affectionate listening, and how these concepts a...

In this episode of 'The Shift,' host Mark Travis Rivera shares a heartfelt conversation with Gabrielle Claiborne, co-founder and CEO of Transformation Journeys Worldwide. They discuss the importance of storytelling in fostering understanding and connection, the challenges faced by the transgender community, and the power of authenticity and joy in the face of adversity. Gabrielle shares he...

In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Maria D. Flowers about the themes of resistance and resilience in today's challenging socio-political landscape. They explore the importance of authenticity, the implications of reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare, and the interconnectedness of health equity and democracy. Dr. Flowers sha...

In this episode of Shift Stories, host Mark Travis Rivera welcomes back Araya Baker for a deeper dive into their shared experiences and insights on social justice, mental health, and the current political climate. They discuss the legacy of slavery, the impact of history on present-day issues, and the importance of collective resistance against systemic injustices. Araya shares their personal jour...

Show Notes: In this conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Yolany Gonell explore themes of resilience and resistance through personal stories and professional experiences in higher education as first-generation college graduates. They discuss the importance of mentorship, allyship, and cultural connections in navigating systemic challenges. Their conversation emphasizes the need for equity in educat...

Show Notes: In this heartfelt episode of The Shift , host Mark Travis Rivera sits down with Dr. Anne Huang, Executive Director of World Arts West, for a profoundly moving conversation about identity, ancestry, and the healing power of the arts. Together, they explore how storytelling becomes a bridge between generations, cultures, and communities. Dr. Huang reflects on her Taiwanese heritage and h...

Show Notes: In this episode of The Shift , host Mark Travis Rivera engages in a powerful and heartfelt conversation with Joél Leon, acclaimed poet, cultural critic, and author of Everything and Nothing at Once: A Black Man’s Reimagined Soundtrack for the Future . Together, they explore themes of resistance and resilience, as well as the vital role of storytelling in cultivating understanding and b...

Show Notes: In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera talks with Dr. Lakeya Cherry, an executive leadership coach and entrepreneur, about owning our stories. Our stories are perhaps the keys that unlock many of our life choices and unlock much of this conversation—showing up as our whole selves gives us the courage to imagine changing careers or pursuing entrepreneurship. Dr. Cherry ad...

Show Notes:  In this episode, Mark Travis Rivera welcomes author and CEO of The Memo, LLC, Minda Harts, to have a conversation emphasizing storytelling's power in bridging divides and fostering understanding among differing perspectives. Together, Mark and Minda explored themes of self-awareness, trust, identity, and resilience in the context of personal and professional growth. They discuss the i...

Show Notes: In this episode of The Shift, Mark Travis Rivera engages in a heartfelt conversation with Obella Obbo, a DEI specialist and licensed therapist, he is also the CEO of The Radical Empath, LLC. They explore themes of resistance and resilience, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of mental health. Obella shares his journey as a radical empath, emphasizing the need for se...

Show Notes: In this engaging conversation, Mark Travis Rivera speaks with Araya Baker, a counselor and advocate for social justice. They explore themes of identity, care, and the importance of lineage in shaping personal and collective resilience. Araya shares insights on the significance of representation in media, the challenges of being a writer in the face of criticism, and the necessity of as...