Rooted And Rewired Podcast™

Cultural Dissension: EP 3. Proximity to Power |Rooted With Aiysha Podcast

When survival depends on closeness to the dominant culture, something is always at stake. Access can mean safety, stability, or opportunity—but it can also come with quiet losses we’re taught not to name. What parts of ourselves get sacrificed when survival requires assimilation?Is it our language? Our anger? Our softness? Our truth?Too often, survival demands that we edit ourselves to remain acceptable, palatable, or non-threatening. Proximity to power can reward silence, compliance, and distance from our own communities—while calling it “growth” or “professionalism.” At the same time, power rarely needs to police itself. Who benefits when we police each other instead of questioning the system?When harm is redirected inward—toward our peers, our communities, or ourselves—the system remains intact. Division becomes a distraction. Respectability becomes a tool. And accountability gets misplaced. This episode invites us to pause and interrogate what we’ve normalized: * The cost of access * The illusion of protection through proximity * The ways power survives by recruiting gatekeepers instead of challengers Proximity to Power is not about rejecting opportunity—it’s about naming the price we’re asked to pay and deciding, consciously, what we are no longer willing to give up. 🎧 Listen in. Reflect honestly. Choose intentionally. Subscribe To The Rooted & Rewired Youtube Channel for more-we are just getting started: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcy9yztsgj3An9bs1rWIKhQ/ Rooted in Truth, Aiysha The Rooted & Rewired Podcast™ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe [https://therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Cultural Dissension: Episode 2 — Internalized Division (Part 2)

Internalized division is one of the most overlooked effects of cultural oppression. In Part 2 of Cultural Dissension, we explore how harmful societal messages don’t just exist “out there”—they often take root within us. Internalized division shows up when we absorb ideas about worth, identity, and power and begin to police ourselves and one another. It can look like competition instead of community, silence instead of truth, or shame instead of belonging. These responses aren’t personal failures—they’re survival strategies shaped by trauma, history, and systemic inequality. This episode invites listeners to reflect on where division has been normalized and how healing begins with awareness. When we recognize that many of these beliefs were taught—not inherent—we gain the freedom to unlearn them. Healing internalized division isn’t about blame. It’s about reclaiming compassion, connection, and cultural integrity. As we begin to repair what’s been fractured within, we also strengthen our ability to challenge what harms us externally. 🎧 Listen to Cultural Dissension – Episode 2: Internalized Division (Part 2)Because healing is personal—but it’s also collective. The Rooted & Rewired Podcast™ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Join us weekly for raw talks, interviews, and insights that inspire you to stay grounded in who you are—and where you come from. Rooted with Aiysha is a space where beauty meets truth, and personal roots connect with collective power. Hosted by Aiysha, a MSW Grad Student at Howard University and storyteller, this channel/podcast explores authenticity, ancestral healing, advice from my matriarch, social justice, and self-love. From honest conversations about identity and culture to reflections on beauty standards, mental health, and activism, Rooted with Aiysha invites you to grow deeper, live fuller, and rise stronger. Join us weekly for raw talks, interviews, and insights that inspire you to stay grounded in who you are—and where you come from. 💮B U S I N E S S: ⇢ For company requests ONLY, to be featured on Rooted With Aiysha™email me at askrootedwithaiysha@gmail.com for all other correspondence, please contact me via our comments. Subscribe to my Substack!! More Projects & Listen to my Podcast-“ Rooted & Rewired” - A Soulful Pop + Purpose Podcast therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFlYRFlCX0dwR1pRNGVpeTZqWVdXMjc4YnBhZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsWlNMbk1laDJiaG1oNFVWTEhrU3pqaGNSMjgyM1B5SVJ5eFpRVjI2WnNXd2RETVgwd1p6QUlIV2s5NWxWeDdoSWxLSkdSOFFxejN1dlVyd1pwN3NLRE1BWjdKaElQemlDTzJaN01pdWZVRmMyX0Jvdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftherootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com%2F] Subscribe to YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rootedwithaiysha?si=fSw745vchl2_Fj2n [https://youtube.com/@rootedwithaiysha?si=fSw745vchl2_Fj2n] In Bravely, Aiysha 👩🏾‍🦱 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe [https://therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Cultural Dissension: Enemy of Our Own Making

What happens when the systems meant to divide us succeed—and we start doing their work for them? In this episode, we unpack cultural dissension: how internalized oppression, generational wounds, respectability politics, and proximity to power can fracture our communities from the inside out. We talk about how culture becomes a battleground—where survival strategies are mistaken for values, and difference is treated like disloyalty. This isn’t about blame.It’s about awareness.It’s about unlearning what was never ours to carry. We explore: * How cultural fragmentation is created and maintained * Why community conflict often mirrors systemic violence * The cost of turning on our own to feel “safe” or “accepted” * What healing, accountability, and collective restoration can look like If we are going to talk about liberation, we have to talk about how we treat each other. 🎧 Tap in. Reflect. Unlearn. Rebuild. Join us weekly for raw talks, interviews, and insights that inspire you to stay grounded in who you are—and where you come from. Rooted with Aiysha is a space where beauty meets truth, and personal roots connect with collective power. Hosted by Aiysha, a MSW Grad Student at Howard University and storyteller, this channel/podcast explores authenticity, ancestral healing, advice from my matriarch, social justice, and self-love. From honest conversations about identity and culture to reflections on beauty standards, mental health, and activism, Rooted with Aiysha invites you to grow deeper, live fuller, and rise stronger. Join us weekly for raw talks, interviews, and insights that inspire you to stay grounded in who you are—and where you come from. 💮B U S I N E S S: ⇢ For company requests ONLY, to be featured on Rooted With Aiysha™email me at askrootedwithaiysha@gmail.com for all other correspondence, please contact me via our comments. Subscribe to my Substack!! More Projects & Listen to my Podcast-“ Rooted & Rewired” - A Soulful Pop + Purpose Podcast therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFlYRFlCX0dwR1pRNGVpeTZqWVdXMjc4YnBhZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsWlNMbk1laDJiaG1oNFVWTEhrU3pqaGNSMjgyM1B5SVJ5eFpRVjI2WnNXd2RETVgwd1p6QUlIV2s5NWxWeDdoSWxLSkdSOFFxejN1dlVyd1pwN3NLRE1BWjdKaElQemlDTzJaN01pdWZVRmMyX0Jvdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftherootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com%2F] Subscribe to YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@rootedwithaiysha?si=fSw745vchl2_Fj2n [https://youtube.com/@rootedwithaiysha?si=fSw745vchl2_Fj2n] In Bravely, Aiysha 👩🏾‍🦱 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe [https://therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Why I Live At Home Ep 2. How does your current living situation support your goals?

In this episode of Rooted and Rewired, we’re getting honest about something many of us quietly navigate — our living situations and what they represent in our journeys. Why I Live At Home isn’t just a story about location or circumstance; it’s a reflection on intention, alignment, and growth. For some, living at home might look like a step back, but for others, it’s a conscious choice to pause, reset, and plant stronger roots for what’s ahead. In Episode 2, I explore the deeper question:👉🏾 How does your current living situation support your goals? We unpack how our environments can either nurture or challenge our personal, spiritual, and professional development. Whether you’re saving for a dream, finishing school, or healing through transition, this conversation invites you to rethink what “home” truly means in this season of your life. Here’s what we dive into: * Why choosing stability can be a form of strength * The connection between space, peace, and purpose * How to make your environment reflect the version of you you’re becoming Sometimes staying “rooted” is the very thing that helps us get “rewired.” This episode encourages listeners to find freedom in their current space — not by running from where they are, but by understanding how it’s shaping them for what’s next. 🎧 Tune in to Episode 2 of Rooted and Rewired: “Why I Live At Home”Available now on all streaming platforms. Join the conversation and share how your living situation is supporting your growth using #RootedAndRewired. 💮B U S I N E S S: ⇢ For company requests ONLY, to be featured on Rooted With Aiysha™email me at askrootedwithaiysha@gmail.com for all other correspondence, please contact me via our comments. Links Subscribe to Youtube Channel Now https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvHsQ1j-2LZLOxNfsAPK7WQ Subscribe to my Substack!! More Projects & Listen to my Podcast-“ Rooted & Rewired” - A Soulful Pop + Purpose Podcast therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFlYRFlCX0dwR1pRNGVpeTZqWVdXMjc4YnBhZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsWlNMbk1laDJiaG1oNFVWTEhrU3pqaGNSMjgyM1B5SVJ5eFpRVjI2WnNXd2RETVgwd1p6QUlIV2s5NWxWeDdoSWxLSkdSOFFxejN1dlVyd1pwN3NLRE1BWjdKaElQemlDTzJaN01pdWZVRmMyX0Jvdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftherootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com%2F] Blog rootedwithaiysha.wordpress.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXBnYS04T2RfRkdHUjlyOTB3STl1aENfSXpWUXxBQ3Jtc0tsaS1maXp5bVpWa21yN0pUdUs2bmlFZHRfaW1zMU5kWnBOQ000cUlFM28xWHFZb3Jka0U4aFk1WFlRWWNSMm9lN3I3RmUzQVhVSTEtNy02UFRCaUttTUY0T04zWGVFdHloR281VTZjZ0ZyNW5WRXlLaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Frootedwithaiysha.wordpress.com%2F] Follow me on X x.com/RootedwAiysha [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0VrNGNhLTJfV2JtX0kzNkhVMXMtdnZDRUtEd3xBQ3Jtc0tsLTdzdVM2emFyZXlYc0VpUm9pNXZldWdKUzRMcXNrc0YxdzlqWmRINm5pX0gyZGFpV2pFRlNhVG9LXzMybnRndEdRWE1pQUNyVHozQkZGRzVLREhrVVd6UHRoYVdCbGFlaUJmSkJqNHNrb1BaTkp6RQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FRootedwAiysha] Instagram instagram.com/rootedwithaiysha [http://instagram.com/rootedwithaiysha] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe [https://therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Big 3- #Racism, #Colorism, and #Texturism - How are these Ideologies Still Impacting Our World?

In today’s world, conversations around identity, inclusion, and equality are more important than ever. Yet, despite social progress, three deeply rooted ideologies continue to shape how we see ourselves and each other: racism, colorism, and texturism. Often called “The Big 3,” these interlocking systems of bias affect everything from our workplaces and relationships to media representation and self-worth. Let’s unpack how each one shows up—and why understanding their impact is essential for real change. 🌍 Racism: The Root of Systemic Division Racism remains the foundation upon which the other two ideologies stand. It’s not just about individual prejudice—it’s a system that advantages some groups while disadvantaging others based on skin color. From disparities in education and employment to unequal access to healthcare, racism continues to influence social outcomes across generations. What’s more, racism has evolved. Today, it hides behind coded language, institutional policies, and unconscious biases. The modern challenge is to recognize racism not only in overt acts but in everyday systems that normalize inequality. 🎨 Colorism: The Shade Within the Shade Colorism operates within communities of color, privileging lighter skin tones over darker ones. While racism stems from external oppression, colorism often functions as internalized oppression—a painful byproduct of colonialism and white supremacy. Think about it: lighter-skinned individuals are often perceived as more “acceptable” or “professional,” while darker skin tones are unfairly associated with negativity or inferiority. This bias shows up in casting calls, corporate offices, and even dating preferences. Colorism doesn’t just wound individuals—it divides communities, distorts beauty standards, and reinforces the very hierarchies racism created. 💫 Texturism: The Politics of Hair and Identity Texturism is the discrimination based on hair texture, often favoring looser curls or straighter hair over tightly coiled textures. It’s another form of bias tied to Eurocentric beauty ideals, and it particularly affects Black women and men navigating professional and social spaces. From workplace “grooming policies” to the natural hair movement, the struggle for acceptance has been ongoing. Texturism shapes how we feel about our own hair—what we consider “neat,” “beautiful,” or “acceptable.” The natural hair revolution has made huge strides, but the underlying attitudes around “good hair” versus “bad hair” are still being unlearned. 🧠 The Intersection: How The Big 3 Work Together Racism, colorism, and texturism don’t exist in isolation—they reinforce one another. Together, they create a layered experience of discrimination that shapes how people move through the world. For example, a darker-skinned person with tightly coiled hair may face compounded bias compared to someone lighter-skinned with looser curls, even within the same racial group. These overlapping systems of oppression shape everything from representation in media to access to opportunities. Recognizing this intersectionality is key to dismantling harmful norms and promoting true inclusivity. 💭 Moving Forward: Unlearning and Rebuilding Change begins with awareness—but it can’t stop there. We must challenge internalized beliefs, call out bias when we see it, and intentionally uplift those most affected by these ideologies. Representation matters, but so does equity, empathy, and education. When we create spaces that affirm all shades, textures, and identities, we move closer to a world where beauty and humanity aren’t filtered through a hierarchy of bias. ✨ Final Thought:Racism, colorism, and texturism may be old systems, but their impact is still felt today. Healing begins when we name them, understand them, and refuse to let them define how we see one another—or ourselves. The Rooted & Rewired™ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe [https://therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]