SPARK Off! The Podcast

6. Beyond Visibility: Conversations for Trans Day of Visibility

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416559/fan_mail/new] In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, this episode explores what it really means to be visible. We talk about the origins of the day and reflect on what visibility looks like in everyday life for our Trans, Gender Diverse and Ungendered communities. The conversation also touches on how day-to-day influences such as community, art, culture, and media shape the ways people experience and understand visibility. Throughout the episode, we share personal reflections on being seen, discuss the power of storytelling and representation, and highlight the voices and creative work that continue to expand Trans visibility. We close by reflecting on what we hope listeners take away from the conversation and how moments like this can inspire deeper understanding and connection.  Episode Resources: * Chella Man [https://www.chellaman.com/home] * Sort of - HBO Show [https://www.hbomax.com/shows/sort-of/fd2a57e4-c0cc-497f-9989-34971877ff41] * The Essentials: Atlanta Trans Resource Guide [https://sparkrj.org/the-essentials-atlanta-trans-resource-guide/] (update coming soon) Website [https://www.sparkrj.org] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sparkrjnow] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sparkrjnow/] | Twitter [https://x.com/sparkrjnow]

5. Georgia’s Legislative Session 101: What Really Happens Under the Gold Dome

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416559/fan_mail/new] What actually happens under the Gold Dome during Georgia’s legislative session, and why should you care? In this episode, we break down how the Georgia Legislative Session works, how a bill becomes law in our state, and how you can be a part of the process! We’ll unpack key moments like Crossover Day, what happens "on the ropes", and how to tell when a bill is moving forward, or being quietly stalled. Plus, we’ll highlight several key bills to watch, who they impact, and how you can track legislation and stay engaged in real time. Episode Resources: * SPARK's 2026 Legislative Tracker [https://docs.google.com/document/d/11A3cYu3ERzOjD7t7SgQJulyBD4WwEtWZxJWk_kfrqS8/edit?usp=sharing] * Georgia Legislature Website [https://www.legis.ga.gov/] * Fertility Justice NOW Advocacy Day - 02/25/26  [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRKgz_v-_TCHqBKeUZZvg0vncsK2xxorxsIwpD0G_vhbAEBw/viewform] * RJ Advocacy Day - 02/26/26 [https://actionnetwork.org/events/2026-reproductive-justice-advocacy-day] Website [https://www.sparkrj.org] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sparkrjnow] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sparkrjnow/] | Twitter [https://x.com/sparkrjnow]

4. Redefining Family w/ Kuluntu Reproductive Justice Center

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416559/fan_mail/new] Redefining Family - A Literature Review - Kuluntu Reproductive Justice Center [https://kuluntu.center/redefiningfamily] In this episode of SPARK Off!, we are joined by Khye Blue, Alanah Armstead, and Marin Hart of Kuluntu Reproductive Justice Center as we explore the concept of family abolition and its challenge to traditional family structures. Our guests discuss how the nuclear family upholds capitalist, patriarchal, and white supremacist systems, and how family abolition offers a critique rooted in history. We also dive into the power of chosen families and community-based care, highlighting how queer and marginalized communities reimagine kinship. Join us for a conversation on creating a more inclusive, equitable system of care! Watch the video of this podcast episode. [https://youtu.be/l75UF9L00kQ] Episode Resources: * Download Redefining Family - A Literature Review [https://kuluntu.center/redefiningfamily]. * Follow Kuluntu Reproductive Justice Center on IG [https://www.instagram.com/kulunturjc]. * Sign up for the Kuluntu Reproductive Justice Center's newsletter [https://kuluntu.center/newsletter]. * Sign up for Kuluntu's Black LGBTQI parents' peer support groups [https://kuluntu.center/doulaservices]. * Connect with our guests via email at kuluntu.rjc@gmail.com, alanah.armstead@yale.edu, marinhartg@gmail.com. Website [https://www.sparkrj.org] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sparkrjnow] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sparkrjnow/] | Twitter [https://x.com/sparkrjnow]

3. Dr. KR’s Oral History: Survival, Joy and Liberation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416559/fan_mail/new] This episode was recorded live during Georgia Dusk's [https://www.georgiadusk.com/] Oral History Collection at JusticeNOW2024 titled, "We Tell Our Own Stories [https://www.georgiadusk.com/we-tell-our-own-stories-spark-rj-now]" In this episode of SPARK Off!, we hear from Dr. Krystal Redman (they/she), SPARK’s Executive Director, as they share their journey from a Black Panther-rooted upbringing in Los Angeles to her work in Reproductive Justice in the South. As part of the We Tell Our Own Stories [https://www.georgiadusk.com/we-tell-our-own-stories-spark-rj-now] oral history project, produced by Georgia Dusk at SPARK’s JusticeNOW2025 Conference, Dr. Redman discusses their path through education and public health, the challenges of navigating systems not built for them, and her eventual connection to SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW! She emphasizes the intersections of social justice, healthcare, and the need for a cultural shift in public health. For more oral histories from We Tell Our Own Stories, visit Georgia Dusk’s website [https://www.georgiadusk.com/we-tell-our-own-stories-spark-rj-now], and stay tuned for more SPARK Off! features! CLICK HERE [https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRlz8-WlZkq4JYouO9Owt2P9factv5s3FbKS_JdO2loh9OpRj1M6nkBkWvN_FsoWQ/pub] for a transcript of Dr. KR's Oral History. Website [https://www.sparkrj.org] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sparkrjnow] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sparkrjnow/] | Twitter [https://x.com/sparkrjnow]

2. SPARK Off! After Dark | Live from JusticeNOW2024

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416559/fan_mail/new] This episode was recorded live during BlackSanctuary at SPARK's JusticeNOW2024 [https://www.justicenowcon.com] Conference. Click here [https://youtu.be/K73UHvi2WZI] to watch the live video recording. This episode we take a deep dive into the world of Reproductive Justice and beyond with special guests Erika Hart and Raquel Willis. Ericka Hart @ihartericka (she/they) is a Black queer femme activist, writer, and award-winning sexuality educator with an M.Ed. in Human Sexuality from Widener University. Ericka gained attention in 2016 by showing her double mastectomy scars publicly, and has since been featured in Vogue, Allure, and more. Her work focuses on human sexuality, race, gender, and chronic illness. She has taught sexuality education for over 10 years and is an adjunct faculty member at Widener University. Raquel Willis @raquel_willis is an award-winning activist, journalist, and media strategist focused on collective liberation for Black trans communities. She co-founded the Gender Liberation Movement and serves as an executive producer with iHeartMedia’s Outspoken LGBTQ+ podcast network. Raquel hosts “Afterlives” and “Queer Chronicles” and authored *The Risk It Takes to Bloom*. Formerly, she was the director of communications for the Ms. Foundation, executive editor of Out magazine, and national organizer for Transgender Law Center. Her influential work includes the GLAAD Media Award-winning “Trans Obituaries Project” and her role in organizing the Atlanta Trans Liberation Tuesday.  Host: Dr. Krystal Redman [they/she], Executive Director @ SPARK Guest: Ericka hart [she/they] Guest: Raquel Willis [she/her] Watch the live video of this podcast episode [https://youtu.be/K73UHvi2WZI] Website [https://www.sparkrj.org] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sparkrjnow] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sparkrjnow/] | Twitter [https://x.com/sparkrjnow]