The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast

HOW Our ANCESTORS Still GUIDE Us | Jacob G. Padrón

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] In this episode of The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast, we sit down with innovative arts leader Jacob G. Padrón for a deeply meaningful conversation about ancestry, spirituality, culture, leadership, and healing. Together, we explore how our ancestors continue to influence our lives, why honoring those who came before us matters, and how faith, memory, and legacy can guide us through life’s most significant transitions. Jacob also reflects on the mentors who shaped his journey, the responsibility of carrying forward their legacy, and how making space for others can become one of life’s greatest callings. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder: there’s always room for you—in your family’s story, in your community, and in the legacy of those whose love, sacrifices, and wisdom continue to make space for your journey. Whether you work in the arts, are exploring your own ancestry, or are seeking a deeper sense of purpose and belonging, this conversation offers an invitation to reflect on where you come from, who helped shape you, and the legacy you hope to leave behind. If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need the reminder that they, too, have a place in the story. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

WHAT if SOCIETY is the DISABILITY? A Conversation with Yale's ACCESSIBILITY Leader | Jordan Colbert

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] What If Society Is the Disability? What if the greatest barriers people face aren’t always their disabilities—but the environments, systems, and assumptions surrounding them? In this episode of The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast, we sit down with Jordan Colbert, a leader in accessibility at Yale University, to explore the powerful intersections of neurodiversity, disability, accessibility, identity, and inclusion. Together, we examine how the way society defines “normal” can unintentionally exclude millions of people and why accessibility is about far more than ramps, elevators, or accommodations. From invisible disabilities and assistive technology to race, identity, and belonging, this conversation challenges us to rethink what it truly means to create spaces where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re a mental health professional, educator, student, parent, leader, or simply someone who wants to better understand the experiences of others, this episode offers practical insights into how neurodiversity and intersectionality shape our schools, workplaces, relationships, and communities. In this episode, we discuss: * What neurodiversity really means—and why it matters. * The social model of disability and how environments can create barriers. * The role of accessibility in education, technology, and everyday life. * How race, disability, and other identities intersect to shape lived experiences. * Why inclusion goes beyond accommodation to fostering genuine belonging. * How shifting our perspective can help create more equitable communities for everyone. Join us for a conversation that challenges assumptions, expands perspectives, and reminds us that when we remove barriers, everyone benefits. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help us continue meaningful conversations about mental health, identity, resilience, and social change. #Neurodiversity #Accessibility #Disability #Inclusion #Intersectionality #MentalHealth #AssistiveTechnology #Yale #DisabilityAwareness #SocialWork #Education #Belonging #REALRootsAndResiliencePodcast Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

Are YOU dealing with a NARCISSIST? 9 WARNING signs YOU shouldn't IGNORE!

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] Are you dealing with a narcissist—or trying to make sense of a relationship that leaves you feeling unheard, emotionally drained, or questioning your own reality? In this episode of The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast, we explore the complex connection between narcissistic traits, ghosting, childhood experiences, emotional safety, and the family patterns that can influence our relationships for years. Our panel shares personal stories and professional insights about difficult parent-child relationships, codependency, boundaries, attachment wounds, and the search for healing. We discuss how unhealthy dynamics can shape the way we communicate, love, trust, and connect with others—and what it takes to break cycles that may have existed long before we arrived. Along the way, we tackle important questions: • How can you recognize narcissistic traits in relationships? • Why do some people struggle to communicate and choose to ghost instead? • How do childhood experiences influence adult relationships? • What does emotional safety actually look like? • How can faith, therapy, and self-awareness help us heal and grow? Whether you’re navigating challenging family dynamics, recovering from emotional wounds, setting healthier boundaries, or seeking a deeper understanding of yourself and others, this conversation offers insight, reflection, and hope. 💬 Join the conversation: Have you ever experienced narcissistic behavior, ghosting, or family patterns that affected your relationships? What helped you heal? 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mental health, relationships, faith, healing, family history, and resilience. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

Was THIS really the LOVE story of Harriet Tubman? | Terrell Green

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] In this thought-provoking episode of The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast, we sit down with playwright, producer, and storyteller Terrell M. Green, creator of the controversial rap-poetic musical Harriet Tubman: Love Slave. The production sparked national conversation and media attention, including coverage on CNN, for its bold reimagining of one of America's most revered historical figures. Terrell takes us behind the headlines to discuss the inspiration behind the musical, the public reactions it generated, and the criticism and support that followed. We explore the challenges of telling stories about historical icons in new ways, the responsibility artists have to historical truth, and why he believes Harriet Tubman's humanity—including her experiences with love, loss, and personal struggle—deserves to be part of her legacy. Beyond the controversy, this conversation is a powerful exploration of creativity, artistic courage, and the role of storytelling in shaping cultural memory. Terrell shares his journey as a theater creator, the importance of challenging audiences, and how he balances historical research with artistic interpretation to make history accessible, relevant, and emotionally resonant for modern audiences. Whether you're interested in theater, Black history, creative expression, or the ongoing debate about who gets to tell our stories and how they're told, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

THIS is what the UNIVERSE told ME | Zhailon Levingston

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] What happens when theater becomes more than entertainment—and turns into a tool for activism, healing, and social change? In this powerful episode of R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience, we sit down with Tony Award-winning director, educator, and activist Zhailon Levingston, one of the most influential voices redefining American theater today. Raised in Louisiana and celebrated as the youngest Black director on Broadway, Zhailon is helping transform some of the nation’s most historic cultural institutions while amplifying stories that have too often been left unheard. From his groundbreaking work as co-director of Cats: The Jellicle Ball to his leadership with the Tony Award-winning Broadway Advocacy Coalition, Zhailon shares how art can challenge systems, reclaim narratives, and create space for communities seeking visibility, belonging, and liberation. Together, we explore the power of storytelling as resistance, the importance of representation in shaping identity, and how ancestry, activism, and artistry continue to influence his work on and off the stage. We also discuss the cultural impact of centering Black, queer, and marginalized voices in spaces that have historically excluded them—and why the future of theater depends on whose stories get told. Whether you’re passionate about the arts, social justice, leadership, or the transformative power of culture, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at how creative expression can inspire change far beyond the stage. Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Zhailon Levingston—a visionary director using art not only to entertain, but to challenge, heal, and transform the world around us. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]