Episode 12: The Spell of Freedom: Becoming, Belonging, and the Power of the South with Raquel Willis

A mothers Grief, and Journey towards healing

In this heartfelt conversation, Paula shares her journey of grief following the loss of her son, Toriano. She reflects on the profound love they shared, the challenges of navigating life without him, and the spiritual signs she believes connect them. Paula discusses the isolation she feels, the memories that bring her comfort, and her desire to tell her son's story to honor his legacy. Through her experiences, she highlights the importance of community support, the complexities of grief, and the strength required to keep moving forward takeaways: * Grief can feel isolating, leading to disconnection from others. * Memories of loved ones can provide comfort during difficult times. * Unconditional love creates deep connections that transcend loss. * Spiritual signs can offer reassurance and connection after death. * Sharing stories of loved ones can be a powerful healing tool. * Grief is a complex journey that varies for each individual. * Community support is crucial in navigating the grieving process. * The impact of loss can change one's perspective on life and death. * Finding purpose in pain can help in the healing journey. * It's important to allow oneself to feel and express emotions during grief.

Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens: A new model of family therapy by August Tuzna Stanton

In this conversation, Jacob Newsome speaks with August Tuzna Stanton, a therapist specializing in family therapy and social justice. They discuss the importance of understanding relational dynamics in therapy, particularly for queer individuals and their families. August introduces the Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens, a model that centers queerness in family therapy, emphasizing the need for therapists to actively support queer identities rather than remaining neutral. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by queer youth, the fears of parents, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights.takeaways * August Tuzna Stanton is a therapist focused on queer issues. * Social justice is crucial in therapy, especially for marginalized communities. * The Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens centers queerness in family therapy. * Neutrality in therapy can be harmful to queer identities. * Parental fear often stems from misinformation and lack of understanding. * Therapists should help parents navigate their grief over changing expectations. * Community support is vital for queer individuals. * The fight for queer rights is ongoing and requires active participation. * Therapists should embrace queerness and validate queer experiences. * Finding the right therapist is essential for effective support.

The Murder of Keith Porter Jr by ICE: A father's fight for justice

In this heartfelt conversation, Keith Porter Sr. shares his profound grief following the tragic murder of his son, Keith Porter Jr., by an off-duty ICE agent. He discusses the emotional toll on his family, particularly on Keith Jr.'s children, and the lack of community support in Houston. Keith Sr. expresses his determination to fight for justice and to combat the false narratives surrounding his son's death. He emphasizes the importance of keeping his son's memory alive through community action and plans to establish a foundation in his honor.takeaways * Grief can be an overwhelming battle, affecting daily life. * Support from family is crucial during times of tragedy. * Children often bear the heaviest emotional burdens in family loss. * False narratives can distort the truth about victims. * Community action is essential in the fight for justice. * Legacy can be honored through foundations and community support. * The importance of sharing personal stories to combat isolation. * Advocacy for victims of violence is a communal responsibility. * Emotional healing can come from helping others. * Maintaining a loved one's memory is a powerful form of love. * Fighting for Justice: A Father's Story * The Weight of Grief: A Personal Journey * "I haven't had much support out here." * "I want to keep his name alive." * "Your son's story won't be forgotten."

Episode 13: The Rise of the Multi-Hyphenate: Wrestling with Dreams, Acting through Pain with Collin Roach

Host: Jacob Newsome Guest: Collin Roach Production: Power of the Narrative (in partnership with KPFT Queer Voices) Recorded & Mixed by: Jacob Newsome Full Video Episode: Coming soon In this charged and inspiring conversation, Jacob Newsome sits down with Collin Roach — a 23-year-old actor, writer, producer, and professional wrestler — whose story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and rebirth. From a childhood cut short by concussions to building a new world through film, Collin reveals how loss, imagination, and discipline shaped him into a multidimensional artist. The conversation unpacks what it means to belong in a world that tries to box you in, and how performance became both therapy and purpose. Together they explore: * Collin’s journey from athlete to actor to professional wrestler * How a devastating injury unlocked his storytelling gift * The art and psychology of wrestling as performance * His collaboration with filmmaker Wayne Cella on Insignificant * Portraying queer love with authenticity and respect, as an Ally * Grieving lost dreams and finding power in reinvention * Legacy, identity, and the weight of being young, gifted, and Black in Hollywood This episode is an anthem for anyone standing at a crossroads — unsure which dream to chase first, but unwilling to stop running. Quote from Collin: “I don’t want to be an actor. I don’t want to be a wrestler. I want to be an entertainer — the best version of all of it.” Follow & Support: Website: ⁠Power of the Narrative⁠ Instagram: ⁠**@PoweroftheNarrative⁠ | ⁠@jnewsome232⁠ | ⁠@collinrroach⁠ TikTok: ⁠@jacob.newsome3⁠ Watch: ⁠Insignificant⁠ (directed by Wayne Cella) Support the work: ⁠Buy Jacob a Coffee⁠ Listen on Spotify, KPFT 90.1 FM, and wherever stories wrestle their way into truth.

Episode 12: The Spell of Freedom: Becoming, Belonging, and the Power of the South with Raquel Willis

Host: Jacob Newsome Guest: Raquel Willis Production: Power of the Narrative Recorded & Mixed by: Jacob Newsome & Riverside.fm Full Video Episode: Coming soon In this luminous and soul-stirring conversation, Jacob sits down with Raquel Willis, award-winning Black trans activist, journalist, and author of The Risk It Takes to Bloom, to explore what it means to embody truth, power, and liberation in a world that often denies both. Together, they trace the sacred threads of Southern roots, ancestral wisdom, and trans brilliance. Raquel opens up about her father’s influence, the fire of her grandmother, and the spirits of movement ancestors like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Monica Roberts, and more. She reflects on the delicate line between survival and freedom, the price of authenticity, and the revolutionary magic of belonging. This episode is a meditation on becoming, on what it costs, what it gives, and what still waits to be born. They discuss: * Reclaiming the South as a cradle of liberation * Lessons from The Risk It Takes to Bloom * The beauty and danger of Black trans visibility * Desire, legacy, and love as radical acts * The politics of grief, joy, and spiritual resistance Raquel’s Call to the World: “Be radically defiant. Do not obey.” Follow & Support: Website: ⁠Power of the Narrative⁠ Instagram: ⁠**@PoweroftheNarrative⁠ | ⁠@jnewsome232⁠ | ⁠@raquelwillis_⁠ TikTok: ⁠@jacob.newsome3⁠ Book: ⁠The Risk It Takes to Bloom⁠ ⁠