The Colorful Conversations Podcast

Community Care: A Conversation with Amber Boydston

In this episode, we are speaking with Amber Boydston about abolition, activism, and using our voices to support our community and the things we care about. Amber is an educator and founder of Spirited Justice, a community organization rooted in somatic abolition. In this conversation, Amber shares about community care, transformative justice, and the importance of speaking up, at all times, unapologetically, from your heart, with and for one another. Amber explains that education can be a powerful form of activism, that there were times before police, and policing as a whole, and that it matters to pull from that pre-policing wisdom as we’re trying to envision what creating new systems of accountability and support look like. This episode asks us the questions: >>> What are the ways we are tangibly practicing being in community when things are going well, and when there has been harm caused. >>> How can we have these conversations in ways that inspire all of us to hold everyone with the same levels of support and accountability? >>> How do we take care of each other? Here is the Abolition Vocabulary Sheet [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vJg-c8B9sgRvVYqvtP8wlKeVkr-CNLwYe7b8Uls5Edw/edit?usp=sharing] that is mentioned in this episode. You can learn more about Amber and Spirited Justice’s work at their Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spiritedjustice [https://www.patreon.com/spiritedjustice] And you can learn more about The Rainbow School and Caitlin's work at The Reframe Collective here: https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool [https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool]

Feel Your Way: A Conversation with Mary Elizabeth Harmon

In this episode, we're speaking with scientist (re)turned storyteller & playmaker, Mary-Elizabeth Harmon about joy, fear, and how to reframe what success means to us. In this conversation, Mary-Elizabeth explains that when we ask different questions, we open up the space for different results, and that we always have the opportunity to get out of our heads and into our hearts — reminding us that joy is the greatest service we can give - especially when the world looks so scary. Mary-Elizabeth shares her process for trusting oneself, and reminds us of the Howard Thurman quote, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Together, we discuss how to use stories as a tool for transformation, how the stories we tell shape the outcome of our lives, and how to give ourselves the permission to dream big. This episode asks us to consider: What makes me come alive? You can connect with Mary-Elizabeth and her book completion journey or any of the other colorful and creative community projects she is offering at meharmon.net [http://meharmon.net] — there is so much goodness to explore there! You can learn more about The Rainbow School here: https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool [https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool]

Approaches to Activism: A Conversation with Jessica Reanne and Allison Gash

In this episode, we are speaking with Jessica Reanne and Alison Gash, both of whom teach at the University of Oregon and support LGBTQIA students and voices through their non-profit: OurSchool. [https://www.itsourschool.org/] In this conversation, Jessica and Allison share their thoughts on how moving with intention and practicing awareness can help us actively create a better world. Together, we discuss belonging, how trying is the gateway to finding the community and the work that feels best for us, and that there are many different ways to take action and to make change.  Listen in for an inspiring and affirming conversation and check out Alison and Jessica's work with OurSchool! You can learn more about OurSchool at their website itsourschool.org [https://www.itsourschool.org/] and follow them on Instagram @itsourschool  You can learn more about The Rainbow School here: https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool [https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool] *Please note - this episode was recorded in June of 2023 and is being published in November of 2023. There is much in the world that needs our attention right now, and many atrocities happening all over the globe. While in this episode we speak of soft and gentle forms of activism, we also believe that there are moments where we are called in to stand up, speak out, and do more to support and save our collective humanity. We believe that now is one of these times. Please reach out if you need more specific ideas on how to take direct action at this time.

Nurturing the Work of Our Heart(s): A conversation with Anya Hankin

In this episode, we are speaking with Anya Hankin about the beauty of imperfection, the magic of metamorphosis, and the idea of navigating towards, and nurturing, the work of our hearts. Anya is a leadership mentor, word weaver, and idea doula, who helps ground creative sparks into a glowing and sustainable reality. In this conversation, Anya shares about the work of their heart, the major moments that led them on this path of creative catalyzing, and what it's like to move through the world as an empath and sensitive hueman. Anya explains how the key to finding our heart-work is to get curious around the things that we love, the things that make us happy, and the things that feel easy and natural to us. Reminding us to pay close attention to the spaces where our unique gifts meet the wounds of the world. Together, we discuss how each of us has things to teach and things to learn, the importance of honoring the wisdom in the room, and how necessary our magic is in the weaving of this new world. This episode asks us to consider: where can I offer my unique expression and gifts to the world? You can learn more about Anya's work at her website https://www.anyahankin.com/ [https://www.anyahankin.com/] You can learn more about The Rainbow School here: https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool [https://www.anyahankin.com/]

Embracing the Weird: A Conversation with Dianna Fontes

In this episode, we are speaking with Dianna Fontes about art, astrology and embracing our inner weirdos! Dianna is a magical maker who is committed to building a better world. In this conversation, Dianna shares about how astrology can be used as a guide to self-knowing, an invitation into our shadow work, and a map for following our intuitions. Dianna explains how astrology can help us to understand our individual needs as well as those of the collective. Together, we discuss how through storytelling and characterization, astrology can set the scene for us to learn, practice, and then learn again — reminding us to be that full colorful weirdos that we are!  You can learn more about Dianna's work at her website AstroArtistry: https://www.astroartistry.com/ [https://www.astroartistry.com/] You can begin your astrology journey by using the resources Dianna has compiled here. [https://www.astroartistry.com/blogs/astro101/how-to-cast-your-chart-in-whole-sign-houses] You can learn more about The Rainbow School here: https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool [https://thereframecollective.com/therainbowschool]