Be the Bridge Podcast with Latasha Morrison

Gospel artist, pastor, and entrepreneur Tasha Cobbs Leonard joins Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast to talk about her debut book, Do It Anyway: Don’t Give Up Before It Gets Good. At Be the Bridge, we talk about hope often. It is what pushes us onward and allows us to persevere. Tasha Cobbs Leonard vulnerably shares parts of her story that will inspire and empower others. She offers hope to our community! About Tasha Cobbs Leonard: A pastor’s daughter born and raised in Georgia, Leonard first emerged to widespread acclaim with her breakout 2013 release, Grace, which garnered a GRAMMY, three Doves, and three Stellar Awards on the strength of its chart-topping, platinum-selling lead single, “Break Every Chain.” In the years that followed, Leonard would go on to establish herself as a genuine “gospel sensation” (NPR), racking up more than two billion streams across platforms, landing three more #1 singles and five #1 albums, performing with everyone from Common and Nicki Minaj to Ne-Yo and Ciara, and making national television appearances on Good Morning America, CNN’s Fourth of July, BET’s Black Girls Rock, CBC’s A Day Of Healing, and the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. A tireless advocate for empowerment and positivity, Leonard has also risen to success as an author, actress, entrepreneur, and worship leader at The Purpose Place Church in her adopted home of South Carolina, where she co-pastors with her husband and producer, Kenneth Leonard, Jr.

Tomesha Faxio is a self-taught documentary photographer dedicated to portraying and centering the Black experience. She specializes in portraits of Black women and women of color. Tomesha strives to tell authentic stories that both inform and inspire, and her photography has been featured across media outlets. Before becoming a photographer, Tomesha was a lawyer working as Legal Counsel for Spanx. She is a graduate of Spelman College (B.A., Psychology) and Vanderbilt University (J.D., Law), and now lives with her husband and two daughters in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Tim Ross is a professional podcaster, social media influencer, author, preacher and businessman. You've probably heard him on his podcast, The Basement, and seen him on social media. He just recently released his book “Welcome to the Basement: An Upside Down Guide to Greatness.” You will love this conversation between Tim and Latasha as they laugh together, hold grief together, and show us the importance of embracing the tensions in life.

Bri Stensrud is an author, human dignity advocate, and the Director of Women of Welcome. She has authored two books: Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, and a children's book: The Biggest Best Light: Shining God's Light into the World Around You. Bri holds a Masters of Biblical & Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and her voice has been highlighted across news platforms. 

We are thrilled to have author, speaker, perpetual theology student, and co-host of The Holy Post Podcast, Kaitlyn Schiess join the Be the Bridge Podcast with Latasha Morrison for an episode all about this American political life as followers of Jesus. They discuss Kaitlyn's new book, The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here, which gives historical context for where we are now. They talk about how looking to see what people in history missed in their ethics and Bible reading can help us not miss the same, the Bible in the Civil War and in the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the importance of seeing how Black Americans used Scripture in our history. They offer both practical and hopeful words to our community as we navigate this presidential election year. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Links: Ads: Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the BridgeShop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Connect with Kaitlyn Schiess: Instagram Twitter Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Be the Bridge Podcast YouTube Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

This is an episode full of joy and hope for Black History Month! We have asked a few friends of Be the Bridge to share what they love about Black culture. Their responses remind us of God’s distinct, beautiful, intentional creativity and design. They remind us of the power of perseverance and resilience. Resilience is connected with another theme we’ve been holding on to at Be the Bridge - hope. So we are also bringing a word of encouragement from one of our board members, Dr. Will Gravely. He gave a message at our Leadership Summit that we had to bring you. So we invite you to listen to the scholar, pastor, strategist, and creative Dr. Will Gravely share HOPE: The Marathon and the Sprint - Spiritual Strategies for Endurance, Effectiveness, and Execution.

For Black History Month, historian, author, and speaker Jemar Tisby joins Latasha Morrison and Jefferson Jones on the Be the Bridge Podcast. This full conversation brings wisdom, context, and encouragement as they talk about current headlines, the importance of context in history, white Chritian nationalism, navigating church, and more. Jemar wraps up the conversation by saying, “God makes His biggest moves with the smallest resources. So hang in there.” And ultimately that is what we hope this episode reminds you - God is at work and together we can persevere. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop

Has America ever been a racist country? Jefferson Jones, the BTB Youth & University Manager, and Elizabeth Behrens, a BTB Educator and the Learning & Content Developer, sit down to discuss this question and the conversations happening around it. They talk about the importance of understanding narratives, origin stories, and different types of conflicts. They also encourage the community to not be driven by outrage but be fueled by things that are sustainable. Join the conversation in the Be the Bridge Facebook Group and on the Be the Bridge Youth and University Instagram. Find the BTB Recommended Resources here. Find the BTB Racial Justice Glossary of Terms here.

Whether you are feeling hopeful or struggling to find hope right now, pull up a chair for this conversation. Join the Be the Bridge Executive Team as they talk about the impact of a yes, what true peace looks like, and how our stories are connected. Latasha Morrison, Tange Johnson, and Micah Smith discuss how God can use us to impact others and how we can cling to hope even in the midst of things falling apart. They lean into lament and remind us that hope is not wishful thinking or optimism. This episode will help the Be the Bridge community prepare our hearts and minds for whatever is to come this year. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We have to have hope in this work that we do to persevere.” -Latasha Morrison “There are people out there learning how to think as bridge builders, learning how to engage as bridge builders. We're seeing people who are transforming into these cross racial communities that live differently and act more justly because of it. And that's something that really gives me hope out of the work of Be the Bridge.” -Micah Smith “We may not know the ways that God is working. We may not always know the people whose lives we're touching. But it's happening. I try to stay in a perpetual state of awe of God, because that keeps me in a place of hope for our future and my now.” -Tange Johnson “Be around people that can empower you, so that you in turn can empower other people that need some help and hope in times of uncertainty.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Maverick City Music audio clipBe the Bridge book by Latasha Morrison Be the Bridge groups Born a Crime book by Trevor Noah Be the Bridge Recommended Resources Be the Bridge Academy Be the Bridge Youth and University Pre-order Brown Faces, White Spaces book by Latasha Morrison Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Be the Bridge Podcast YouTube Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Happy New Year Be the Bridge community! We hope you are having a joyous start to 2024! The Be the Bridge Podcast is on a break this week, so we encourage you to take this opportunity to catch up on a few episodes and share some of your favorite conversations with us on social media! We will be back on the 23rd with a conversation centered around hope. Until then, stay grounded in truth.

Author, Professor, and Public Theologian, Dr. Esau McCaulley helps the Be the Bridge community make sense of God in the context of a racialized society in this podcast episode. He shares part of his own family’s story and lived experience of systemic injustice. And he talks about how the church in America hasn’t reckoned with its sin. Latasha and Esau laugh together and share words of hope as they talk about the hope of Advent and work of God. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “The impact of systemic racism is up close and personal with people that you know, and a lot of times we just don't talk about it.” -Latasha Morrison “I think there's this fear that a deep confession is not something that the American church can survive.” -Esau McCaulley “Repentance exists, because it presupposes sin. And if we can't repent, then we can't experience the fullness of redemption.” -Esau McCaulley Links: Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge NewsletterBecome a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Courageous Conversations Reading While Black book by Esau McCaulley Josey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy Spirit book by Esau McCaulley How Far to the Promised Land book by Esau McCaulley How the Faith that Arose from the Cotton Fields Challenges Me article by Esau McCaulley The Fullness of Time series edited by Esau McCaulley Be the Bridge Academy Be the Bridge Youth Connect with Esau McCaulley: His Website Facebook Twitter InstagramConnect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

New York Times Best Selling Author Annie F. Downs joins Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast to talk through deep laments and fun hopes. Annie shares the beautiful story of her ordination and her journey to getting there. They talk about the difference of perspectives between predominantly white churches and Black churches when it comes to women as pastors. Annie allows the Be the Bridge community to hear some of the tragedy and trauma that happened in her community with the Covenant School shooting. And they also talk about the beauty of living a yes and life - letting joy and sorrow coexist. The discussion about Reading through the Gospels is a reminder of who Jesus is and what He calls His followers to. Be encouraged by Annie and Latasha’s conversation to stay grounded in the work you do, because it outlasts you> Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “To what degree am I privileged and how can I use that?" -Annie Downs “Pains are never wasted.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ads:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge NewsletterBecome a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: That Sounds Fun Podcast Network That Sounds Fun book by Annie F. Downs Chase the Fun book by Annie F. Downs 100 Days to Brave book by Annie F. Downs Remember God book by Annie F. Downs Let's Read the Gospels Podcast Connect with Annie F. Downs: Her Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Gloria Umanah, the visionary behind Hope Booth, uses her own lived experiences to passionately fight for those who feel invisible. In this episode, Gloria generously shares her story with the Be the Bridge community and the story behind Hope Booth. She and Latasha connect over their Yoruba names and over being Black women who lead non profits. They discuss mental health, the power of making someone feel seen and that they belong, and making hope and help accessible to all.Gloria's story, words, and work will empower listeners to choose to keep living, to see hope all around, and to see themselves as worthy of being cared for. This conversation is full of reminders that God is at work and that no one is alone. The episode ends with Gloria sharing a powerful spoken word piece you do not want to miss. *(We do want to offer a listener warning that suicide is mentioned in this episode.) Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “My scars are roadmaps to redemption for other people.” -Gloria Umanah “There's a way of showing people their dignity and their worth when you acknowledge their existence.” -Latasha Morrison Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned:Until All Are Seen documentary by Hope BoothEqual Justice Initiative Legacy Sites“See Me” spoken word video by Gloria Umanah Connect with Gloria Umanah: Her Website Instagram Facebook Connect with Hope Booth: Website Facebook  Instagram Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Counselor, Author, and Speaker Cam Lee Small joins Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast during National Adoption Month to help shift the culture and church’s narrative surrounding adoption. As a transracial adoptee himself, Cam brings his lived experience and his professional work to this conversation. They discuss the tension of being connected to two places, the necessity of centering adoptees’ voices and stories, and ways to honor heritages and birth families. They also dive into the importance of celebrating and submitting to leadership that is not centered on whiteness, as well as the need to reframe the language around adoption so that it is not compared to the gospel. Cam generously shares some of his own journey of self discovery with the Be the Bridge community. And he encourages adoptees to have a community to be able to express their feelings. Everyone will leave this episode with more empathy, understanding, and language. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “I was a son before I was adopted”. -Cam Lee Small “This work can't start when you adopt. The work has to start prior to that.” -Latasha Morrison “Let's not have the adoptive parent be the first one to jump on stage and teach us about the adoptee journey. Let's ask adoptees about that.” -Cam Lee Small Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Be the Bridge TRA Academy Course Bellis The Inclusive Family Support Model Connect with Cam Lee Small: His Website Facebook Instagram Threads Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Kayla Craig is a former journalist who brings deep curiosity and a prophetic voice to her writing in her books Every Season Sacred and To Light Their Way and on her popular Instagram account, Liturgies for Parents. In this episode, Latasha and Kayla share hope and lament. They talk about the beauty and accessibility of liturgies in our faith journeys and the need to engage curiosity in our relationship with God and others. They discuss the importance of being honest about our history and being honest with God. And Kayla blesses the Be the Bridge community with readings from her book. (Note: This conversation was recorded on September 14th, for context for listeners as to why some of the current global conflicts and recent national gun violence tragedies are not named in the laments.) Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “I embrace history because it makes us who we are.” -Latasha Morrison “Kids invite us into curiosity, because we start to unlearn that. When we embrace a posture of curiosity instead of having all the answers, we are drawing nearer to Christ.” -Kayla Craig “Liturgy is prayers of the people.” -Kayla Craig "When was Jesus ever comfortable? Why do we yearn for comfort?” -Latasha Morrison Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Every Season Sacred book by Kayla Craig To Light Their Way book by Kayla Craig Liturgies for Parents Podcast prayer for Dr. Martin Luther King Day Ruby Bridges A Prayer for Gun Violence in Schools With book by Skye Jethani A Prayer for Talking about Racism with Children Connect with Kayla Craig: Her Website Instagram Liturgies for Parents Instagram Facebook Threads Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Terry Wildman, whose ancestry includes Ojibwe from Ontario, Canada and Yaqui from Sonora, Mexico, is the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version. He serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. And in this episode, he shares the story behind how this beautiful translation came to be.  Mariah Humphries, a citizen of Mvskoke Nation and on the team of Be the Bridge as the Director of Marketing and Innovation, adds insight, joy, and depth to this conversation. Terry, Mariah, and Latasha remind listeners Jesus is always on the side of the oppressed and that giving up culture, language, traditions is not a necessity in following Jesus. In fact, Creator hears you, sees you, understands you, and delights in you as he created you. You can follow Jesus in the context of your culture. We hope you’ll pick up a copy of the First Nations Version and learn from Indigenous brothers and sisters, not just around Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Heritage Month but throughout the year.  Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “There's so much beauty and there's so much good that Creator has put into our Native cultures that to see that disappear would be a terrible loss.” -Terry Wildman “Being a Native Christian doesn't mean you have to compromise and assimilate into this other mindset. You can be truly who you were created to be and follow Creator in this beautiful way.” -Mariah Humphries “A lot of people don't understand the influence of Western culture on the Bible, on tradition, on theology in what we have now.” -Latasha Morrison Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Be the Bridge ICWA announcement Instagram video Be the Bridge ICWA YouTube videoNative InterVarsityRain MinistriesThe Culture Is: Indigenous Women OneBook Bible translationWould Jesus Eat Frybread? Animated Video - Retelling the Good Story: A Day and a Night with Creator Sets Free Animated Video - Water and Sand Connect with Terry Wildman: First Nations Version Website  Twitter FNV Instagram FNV Facebook Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Threads Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Public Speaker, Life Coach, and Human Rights Advocate, Dr. Eloise Sepeda joins Latasha Morrison to talk about how we can prevent cycles of oppression and marginalization. Her lived experience and research informs her work in Restorative-Transformative Justice. Dr. Eloise and Latasha talk about discipline in schools, developing empathy, and appreciating different perspectives. Dr. Eloise was one of the members of Latasha’s first Be the Bridge group in Austin! You'll hear the years of friendship and co-laboring in the work of racial justice between them in this episode that celebrates reimagining, thinking critically, and embracing curiosity. They also remind us that this work is not hopeless. We can break systemic cycles with intervention. Healing has a ripple effect! Dr. Eloise Sepeda will be joining us at our Leadership Summit in January 2024!  Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “Peacemaking involves disruption.” -Eloise Sepeda “Justice is about being. It's not just about doing. We want to do justice, but we also want to be just.” -Latasha Morrison “Let's not shove people into these boxes that systems have developed for them.” -Eloise Sepeda Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Listen & subscribe to Raising Boys & Girls - https://tinyurl.com/RaisingBoysAndGirlsPodcastSign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Be the Bridge Guides and Training Material - Be the Bridge Academy Be the Bridge Leadership Summit Be the Bridge Groups Harmony One Solutions L.E.A.D. Center for Youth Restorative Discipline Practices: A Journey in Implementation by a Community of Texas Educators book co-authored by Dr. Eloise Sepeda Love Beyond Walls Connect with Dr. Eloise Sepeda: Her Website Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

The Be the Bridge Academy is the online learning platform that inspires, equips, and partners with people and organizations through training, programs, webinars, and courses using Be the Bridge content and resources from reputable thought leaders and institutions.There will be some free resources available in the BTB Academy as well as paid resources, with new racial literacy material added quarterly!It will include courses on: history the Bible and diversity culture (both white and BIPOC) healing from racial trauma Be the Bridge values racial reconciliation panels transracial adoption student leadership and more! Be sure you're following us on social media so you can celebrate and share the launch with us! We hope you'll consider investing in your racial literacy through the Academy. bethebridge.com/academy

Social Impact Leader, TBRI Practitioner, and Executive Director of The Nurture Place, Angela Gonzalez shares her story of being part of a local Be the Bridge group on this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast with Latasha Morrison during National Hispanic + Latine Heritage Month. They discuss how creating brave spaces allows people to share, learn, grow, and lament together. And Angela opens up about her personal shift of trying to be accepted in predominantly white institutions to accepting herself and her heritage. Angela passionately talks about why we should all be trauma-informed and be community focused. And she also shares why it is important for people receiving mental healthcare to see therapists that look like them. You will hear a call for churches and faith leaders to refer people to mental health care professionals. Latasha and Angela discuss the obstacles they have to overcome being leaders who are women of color. This is a conversation that shares the impact of local Be the Bridge groups and that will help break the stigmas surrounding mental health! Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “A lot of the other things around us will burn, but God's justice will always prevail.” -Latasha Morrison “Instead of asking the question: what is wrong with you? We ask the question: what happened to you? And that is a more compassionate way of seeing the world.” -Angela Gonzalez "Therapists can help us to heal and become the people that we are supposed to be." -Angela Gonzalez "There's not one group of people that can represent the totality of who God is. It takes every nation and every tribe. And when we fight against diversity, we're fighting against the will of God. We're fighting against the essence of who God is." -Latasha Morrison Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Listen & subscribe to Raising Boys & Girls - https://tinyurl.com/RaisingBoysAndGirlsPodcast Sign up for the Be the Bridge Newsletter to be alerted when the Be the Bridge Academy launches on October 2nd! Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Trust-Based Relational Intervention Connect with Angela Gonzalez: Instagram The Nurture Place Website The Nurture Place Instagram The Nurture Place Facebook Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Historian, Author, and Educator Jasmine Holmes joins Latasha Morrison on this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast to talk about her books, her Instagram classroom, and her own educational journey. They both share the crucial moments in their journeys of this work and how pivotal having a community of Black women has been to them. Latasha touches on the trauma that comes from BIPOC not having pain recognized in church and not being seen or heard in predominantly white faith spaces. And together they lament the stronghold white supremacy has on the United States. They dive into the untold stories of Black missionaries and what voices are not highlighted in classical education. As bridge builders, we can bring truth to the revisionist history happening and bring dignity to the stories often misrepresented. We can choose to lean into conversations like these and be educators and reconcilers in this current cultural climate. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode!  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment Studios Assistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We know that anti-woke is really anti-Black.” -Latasha Morrison “Finding the faithful stories of Black Christians who've gone before became this really empowering experience for me, a very transformative experience.” -Jasmine Holmes “We are fighting tooth and nail not to reckon with the national sin of white supremacy.” -Jasmine Holmes “The gospel is for everyone. But we completely leave out entire people groups when it comes to the history of the church.” -Latasha Morrison Links: If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form.  Ads: Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned: Carved in Ebony book by Jasmine Holmes Mother to Son book by Jasmine Holmes His Testimonies, My Heritage book edited by Kristie Anyabwile Woke Homeschooling Never Cast Out book by Jasmine Holmes King Leopold’s Ghost book by Adam Hochschild  Their Eyes were Watching God book by Zora Neale Hurston Instagram post by Jasmine about Black teachers who fought revisionist history Reading Everybody Black Challenge Heritage Mom Blog on Instagram Crowned with Glory book by Jasmine Holmes Hidden Figures Connect with Jasmine Holmes: Her Website Instagram Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

As students and teachers go back to school, we are also going back to school on the Be the Bridge Podcast with America’s Government Teacher Sharon McMahon! You might know Sharon from her Instagram account, SharonSaysSo, or from her Podcast, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting. Sharon’s mission of curating facts, fun, and inspiration by educating Americans on democracy, politics, and history was the perfect pairing with the podcast because we value truth-telling and we believe that understanding can move us toward racial healing, racial equity, and racial reconciliation. Together, we are equipping people with truth. In this episode, we take things to the classroom. Sharon shares the foundations of what makes a democracy and how critical thinking is developed. She gives homework to be proactive participants in this democracy and to be anti-racist. And she gives empowering reminders that we cannot afford to lose hope and we all have a part to play in this historical moment in time.Listen in for education and encouragement. Let’s be a movement of bridge builders that choose principles over party and hope over everything. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“If the problem seems too big and you feel overwhelmed, you need to make the problem smaller. You need to bring the problem down to a level that you feel that you can do even one thing about.” -Sharon McMahon “Becoming educated on this topic is the foundation of being able to take action on it.” -Sharon McMahon“Racism has never led us to a destination worth going to.” -Sharon McMahon “The work that we do is about politics, because politics is about people. It doesn't have to be partisan. We're making it partisan. It should be bipartisan.” -Latasha Morrison Links:If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. Ads:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Connect with Sharon McMahon:Her WebsiteInstagramFacebookHere’s Where It Gets Interesting Podcast Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Storyteller and public scholar, community activist and author Dr. Terence Lester invests his wealth of wisdom and stories from his own experience into the Be the Bridge community in this conversation with Latasha Morrison. Dr. Lester shares about his restorative work with Love Beyond Walls, a non-profit which is bringing true social change serving people who are experiencing homelessness in Atlanta and beyond. They talk about the disconnect the church in America has with seeing people on mission trips with dignity but not people in our own communities with that same dignity. And they have a vulnerable discussion around “the talk” that Black and Brown families in America have in their homes because of having to survive in and navigate this racialized society. This episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast will remind you of the power one person can have in someone’s life and the power there is in truly seeing people. It also brings continued conviction that covering up history and removing access to information prevents healing, reconciliation, justice, and redemption. We hope this conversation will prompt you to allow your own historical shaping to be interrogated and empower you to be a person of peace. May the power of God at work in Dr. Lester’s life offer encouragement that God is at work in and around you as well. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“There are a group of people in this world that feel forgotten, and how dare I, having experienced the grace of God, not pass along that same love and support to my neighbor?” -Dr. Terence Lester “There's a major theological problem that we have as the body of Christ that allows us to get here where we would think that poverty and sickness equates to criminality.” -Latasha Morrison “You’ve got to get proximate to be able to serve.” -Dr. Terence Lester Links:If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. Ads:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources:Love Beyond Walls WebsiteDr. Terence Lester’s dissertationHomesick Documentary by Dr. Terence LesterI See You book by Dr. Terence LesterWhen We Stand book by Dr. Terence LesterAll God’s Children book by Dr. Terence Lester Connect with Dr. Terence Lester:His WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn His Substack Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

In this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, host Latasha Morrison engages in a powerful discussion with Licensed Professional Counselor Dr. Chinwé Williams surrounding mental health. They talk through the collective trauma the world has endured and the racial trauma the BIPOC community endures. Dr. Chinwé shares about the benefits of somatic therapy, the need to foster emotional resilience in kids, and helpful tips for talkings with kids and teens about racism. Dr. Chinwé concludes the conversation with a word for the BIPOC community. You will be empowered to be a mindful listener and to remain steadfast in the midst of struggles. You will feel validated and encouraged. And you will be reminded that there is always help and hope. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“Racial trauma is real. Racial trauma is any sort of race based stress, any sort of mental or emotional injury that's caused by racial bias.” -Dr. Chinwe Williams “We have to pay attention to what's happening. And we do have to start talking to one another. We have to talk to our children.” -Latasha Morrison “Being seen and heard is actually essential to healing.” -Dr. Chinwé Williams Links:If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. Ads:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Become a Donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned:Seen book by Dr. Chinwé Williams and Will HutchersonBeyond the Spiral book by Dr. Chinwé Williams and Will HutchersonFive Ways to Help Children Build Emotional Resilience Instagram Post by Dr. Chinwé WilliamsFour Tips for Talking to Kids and Teens about Racism and Social Unrest article by Dr. Chinwé Williams Connect with Dr. Chinwé Williams:Her WebsiteFacebookInstagram Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

This episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast is part of our Cultural Views conversations where we do a deeper dive into societal and cultural issues with the intent of exposing our listeners to opportunities for the reassessment of their own values and perspectives. Other episodes of our Cultural Views conversations include gun violence on episode 250 and white Christian nationalism in a two part episode on episode 268. Be the Bridge team members Jefferson Jones and Elizabeth Behrens join Latasha Morrison to discuss book bans. They provide the history of book bans and worldwide examples where bans have taken place. And they share why having this conversation is critically linked to bridge building. Latasha, Jefferson, and Elizabeth’s words will help prompt conversations in your homes, Be the Bridge groups, and communities. There are action steps for white families and is encouragement for BIPOC families. You’ll be reminded that you don’t have to have all the answers but a willingness and openness to have conversations. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“We have to work through the tensions of a democracy.” -Latasha Morrison “Exposure to that information is not where harm is done. Harm is done when a child is exposed to information or harmful concepts, having no way to contextualize them, having no background information or way to make sense of it, and no comfort level asking questions.” -Elizabeth Behrens “Trying to keep them away from things, that's only going to have them form opinions and worldviews that are not being shaped by you.” -Latasha Morrison “Book banning is a building of borders around the imagination of people. Because many want the imagination of their children to be a offspring of what they know and not a development of what God is shaping in them or what's developing in them naturally because of the way that they are wired.” -Jefferson Jones Links:If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. Ads:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Become a donor of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Shop Resources Mentioned:Cultural Views White Christian NationalismCultural Views Gun ViolenceRuby BridgesThe Color of Law bookVideo of 100 year old Florida widow of a WWII veteran talking about book bansThe Hill We Climb book by Amanda GormanStop Book Bans Toolkit from the Author’s GuildTell Me Who You Are bookBe the Bridge Foundations Course Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Author, Speaker, Activist, Co-Host of the Melanated Faith Podcast and long time friend of Be the Bridge, Faitth Brooks spoke with Be the Bridge Podcast host Latasha Morrison about her recently released book Remember Me Now: A Journey Back to Myself and a Love Letter to Black Women. They discussed the trope of the strong Black woman, the toll it takes being the only Black woman in predominately white spaces, and overcoming purity culture. They reminisce about the first time they connected and they laugh about their lives as dog moms. Faitth encourages Black men to protect, advocate for, and affirm Black women. And she reminds listeners that no matter what you’ve gone through or where you’ve come from, healing and wholeness are possible. Join in the conversation on our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn to let us know your thoughts on this episode! Last chance! We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag! Survey link will close June 30th.) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“In order to move through pain, in order to move through hard times, we need to make room for softness and we need to make space for our hearts to have a safe place to land.” -Faitth Brooks “You should be able to show up fully as yourself as a Black Christian in the space you want to be in and be accepted fully for your voice as it is without editing.” -Faitth Brooks “Education is happening. There's no reason for anyone to be ignorant.” -Latasha Morrison Links:If you’d like to partner with the Be the Bridge Podcast, please fill out our Advertise with Us form. Ads:Listen & subscribe to Doing the Best We Can - ⁠https://tinyurl.com/DoingTheBestWeCanPodcast Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Give to the Work of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Online Store Resources Mentioned:Be the Bridge Podcast YouTubeMelanated Faith PodcastLegacy CollectiveRemember Me Now by Faitth BrooksClip of Faitth on Good Morning America“Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Connect with Faitth Brooks:Her WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Find the full episode transcript on our website here. Listen to the episode on YouTube here. Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization. 

Our beloved Podcast host, and the Founder and CEO of Be the Bridge, turns 50 today! So we are taking a moment to celebrate the one and only Latasha Morrison! We've gathered some messages from guests you have heard on the show and guests you will hear soon. We hope you enjoy hearing Latasha honored by the words of Marcie Alvis Walker, Cam Lee Small, Angela Gonzalez, Dr. Claudia May, Raymond Chang, Michelle Ferrigno Warren, Faitth Brooks, Terry Wildman, Annie F. Downs, Dr. Terence Lester, and Jo Saxton. Please join in the celebration over on social media! Share your words of encouragement, support, and appreciation for Latasha on this milestone birthday on our Instagram and Facebook posts today. And consider giving to the work of Be the Bridge in celebration of and gratitude for Latasha. Thank you! Thank you for being part of the Be the Bridge community and celebrating Latasha with us!

On Juneteenth, we hold both celebration and solidarity for what the day means. And each year the Be the Bridge Podcast takes time to honor the history and present our community with an opportunity to learn. Filmmaker, creator, and business owner Garrison Hayes joined Latasha Morrison to discuss the historical context of Juneteenth and how to not water down this holiday but truly center Black joy and Black resilience. They also talk about Reconstruction, urban renewal, and even pickleball. They both open up about losing their fathers in 2021. We hope you take time to learn, to reflect, and to tangibly support Black businesses! We'd love to hear in the comments over on our social media what you are doing for Juneteenth or what business you are supporting! We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag! Survey link will close June 30th.) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“Context is everything. Historical context is everything with anything that we're doing.” -Latasha Morrison “The easiest way, the clearest and simplest explanation of Juneteenth is that it's the day that celebrates the official end of slavery as we knew it at the time on June 19, 1865.” -Garrison Hayes “What I think is really, really important is that we recognize that Juneteenth has always been about solidarity.” -Garrison Hayes “I think for the month of June this is a Be the Bridge challenge: use some of your purchasing power to buy from Black owned businesses and support Black owned businesses and lift up Black businesses.” -Latasha Morrison Links:Ad:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Resources Mentioned:Garrison’s YouTube video on Urban RenewalReform AllianceLowndes County and the Road to Black Power documentary on Peacock Connect with Garrison Hayes:His SubstackInstagramTik TokTwitterYouTube Garrison's Children's Book "A Kid's Book About Juneteenth" Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Find the full episode transcript on our website here. Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to make a lasting change in your life? In this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, host Latasha Morrison is joined by life coach BJ Thompson for a dynamic conversation about how change starts in our mindsets. BJ opens up about some of his personal journey. And then they discuss the importance of taking care of yourself in a meaningful way and being part of work that is purposeful. BJ also shares about his book, Awaken a Better You: 4 Simple Steps to Create the Life You Want, and his movement, Build a Better Us. Consider this a coaching session for the Be the Bridge community! Remember, working on your own healing and health isn’t selfish. It’s participating in the work of redemption and restoration. No matter your story or your struggle, you are not stuck. Hope, healing, and health are possible and you are loved for who you are! Jump over to our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram to let us know your thoughts on this episode! We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag! Survey link will close June 30th.) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“If you have the right tools and the right resources and the right mindsets, you can accomplish things much quicker, you can accomplish them with less trauma.” -BJ Thompson “There's certain corners in growth you can't cut, because it's just a part of the process.” -BJ Thompson “Your beginnings do not determine your endpoint or your middle point.” -Latasha Morrison Links:Ad:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Resources Mentioned:Awaken a Better You by BJ ThompsonAwaken Conference - online replayBuild a Better UsThe 45 Day Challenge Connect with BJ Thompson: His WebsiteFacebookInstagram Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Recently, Be the Bridge Podcast host Latasha Morrison sat down with Sharon McMahon, known from her popular Instagram account @SharonSaysSo, to discuss a wide range of topics around democracy and the government institutions in the United States, being engaged in politics and having hope in the midst of it all. They talked about the recent events in the Tennessee state legislature, and we couldn't wait to share it with you! While you await the full episode, listen in as Sharon shares the historical context of the unprecedented events and why we all need to pay attention to them. Be reminded that your voice truly does matter! Find a video clip of this podcast preview on the Be the Bridge Podcast YouTube Channel. Subscribe to the podcast, sign up for our email list, and follow Be the Bridge on Instagram and Facebook so you know when the full episode releases!

This episode is the second part of our Cultural Views conversation on white Christian nationalism. (Listen to part one released on 5/30 to get the full discussion!) Podcast host Latasha Morrison and Be the Bridge leaders Sean Watkins, Elizabeth Behrens, and Micah Smith continue to share why this conversation is needed, the importance of digging into the origins story of the US and our churches, and the difference between patriotism and nationalism. There are resources and practical steps given along with reminders of hope. Be sure to subscribe to our email list so you know when the Be the Bridge Academy that the team talked about is open! If you are a pastor and listening to this podcast and want more information on how to be able to change your own discipleship and spiritual formation of your church, we want to invite you to go to our website, BeTheBridge.com, where you will find the Resources tab where we share Recommended Resources, a book list of resources from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds that have been vetted by our training team. We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag! Survey link will close June 30th.) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“There's a crisis of discipleship.” -Latasha Morrison “One of the issues of Christian nationalism is that it allows for all of these conversations about all these different ethnic groups without actually talking to any of those ethnic groups and having them be included in the conversation.” -Sean Watkins “I grew up with the Christian flag on one side and the American flag on the other. And if we don't think that our theology is shaped by our place and our space, then we're not being honest with ourselves.” -Elizabeth Behrens “We're supposed to be trying to honor and glorify God, not a nation, not a group, not a denomination. But honor and glorify God. With everything that we got we're loving him.” -Micah Smith Terms:Christian Nationalism: a cultural framework that idealizes and advocates a fusion of Christianity with American civic life. Christian nationalism contends that America has been and should always be distinctively “Christian” from top to bottom – in its self-identity, interpretations of its own history, sacred symbols, cherished values, and public policies – and it aims to keep it that way. Links:Ad:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast. Download the Spotify for Podcasters app or go to www.spotify.com/podcasters to get started] Resources Mentioned:The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark NollEqual Justice InitiativeThe Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan RahUnsettling Truths by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan RahSanta Biblia: The Bible Through Hispanic Eyes by Justo L. GonzalezRescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys by Dr. Richard TwissStand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God by Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown DouglasBe the Bridge Recommended ResourcesNational Memorial for Peace and JusticeThe Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass IncarcerationMissio Alliance Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

This episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast is part of our Cultural Views series where we do a deeper dive into societal and cultural issues with the intent of exposing our listeners to opportunities for the reassessment of their own values and perspectives. We have previously talked about gun violence on episode 250 and now we are diving into white Christian nationalism. Podcast host, Latasha Morrison, is joined by Be the Bridge team members Sean Watkins, Elizabeth Behrens, and Micah Smith to dive into a relevant topic impacting our community and our neighbors. At Be the Bridge, we want to make sure that we are equipping you to do this work. So in this episode, we will provide the historical context and present realities of white Christian nationalism. Make sure you are subscribed as we keep the conversation going. In part two, we will look at how to disciple people through this. If this conversation leaves you wanting to know more about the training Be the Bridge offers, learn more about our trainings for companies, organizations and churches here, learn about our Foundations Course here, and learn about our Transracial Adoption trainings and resources here. And subscribe to our email list so you can know when Be the Bridge trainings, events, and resources are released! We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag!) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts with Integrated Entertainment StudiosAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“What does it look like when we talk about orthodoxy and orthopraxy in our everyday lives? And so for me, as an African American, knowing the history here, it's hard for me to even say that America was a Christian nation.” -Latasha Morrison “Our nation was birthed really out of genocide and enslavement. And so even though we say that we're a Christian nation, we've been violent from day one.” -Sean Watkins “If you find yourself unwilling to genuinely and authentically challenge those systems, then you might be a white Christian nationalist. Not intentionally. I don't think a lot of us are out there just saying, ‘Oh, we want to just tear other people down.’ But that's a framework….In the long run, you're going to dehumanize and marginalize and justify hurting people in the name of religion.” -Micah Smith “The top three curriculums used for homeschoolers, the top three curriculums used in private Christian schools, promote Christian nationalism. And those textbook companies have existed since the 50s and 60s. So you now have a couple generations where kids grew up on this. They had kids, they put their kids in those same schools with the same curriculums. You now have multiple generations who have been indoctrinated in this since the time they were learning to read.” -Elizabeth Behrens Ad:Spotify for Podcasters [Record, edit, distribute your podcast with the Spotify for Podcasters app or at www.spotify.com/podcasters] Links:Jude 3 Project’s documentary “Unspoken”Pew Research on How Americans describe ‘Christian nationalism’Equal Justice Initiative Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

In a gentle and heartfelt conversation, Korean American Storyteller Tasha Jun discusses her new book, Tell Me the Dream Again, with Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast. You’ll hear Tasha vulnerably share about her journey of embracing the whole story of being biracial. They discuss the importance of being specific about our stories, of honesty and community, and of representation. Tasha and Tasha give listeners encouragement on how to persevere through injustice and also how to sit with the feelings of anger and lament and grief. This episode is an invitation to show up as your whole self and know you are worthy of belonging. We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag!) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon PottsAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“Belonging is being able to be in a place or a space, where you are your whole self and where your whole self is welcome to stretch out and also have room to become at the same time.” -Tasha Jun “I hope that being really specific will help people to be specific about themselves, and just take a look within and be able to see their own distinctions with value and give attention to those things.” -Tasha Jun “When we think diversity is really divisive, then we have missed something. Because diversity is a part of creation.” -Latasha Morrison Links:Tell Me the Dream Again: Reflections on Family, Ethnicity, and the Sacred Work of Belonging book by Tasha JunVoices of Lament: Reflections on Brokenness and Longing in a World Longing for Justice book edited by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson Connect with Tasha Jun:InstagramFacebookHer SubstackHer Website Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Thank you for stopping by the Be the Bridge Podcast! This podcast is a resource from the non-profit organization Be the Bridge and is hosted by Latasha Morrison, the Founder and CEO of Be the Bridge and the author of the book Be the Bridge. Be the Bridge responds to racial brokenness and systemic injustice in our world and believes understanding can move us toward racial healing, racial equity, and racial unity. This podcast is an extension of our vision to make sure people are no longer conditioned by a racialized society but grounded in truth. We have provided this podcast as a resource to help cultivate courageous conversations and equip all to flourish. You will find interviews from a variety of thought leaders, faith leaders, and business leaders as well as authors and artists, activists and athletes. You will be encouraged, you will be challenged, and you will be changed. Thank you for subscribing and sharing! Subscribe to the Be the Bridge Podcast in your favorite podcast player so you don't miss an episode of these helpful and hopeful conversations! Find full episode transcripts on the ⁠Be the Bridge website⁠. And subscribe to the Be the Bridge Podcast YouTube Channel to watch clips of interviews, see interviews with closed captioning, and find special episodes. Follow Be the Bridge on Instagram. Follow Be the Bridge on Facebook. Follow Be the Bridge on Twitter. Shop other resources from BTB on the Be the Bridge Shop. Give to the work of Be the Bridge by becoming a financial partner.

At Be the Bridge Podcast, we intentionally interview bridge builders doing incredible work all year long. And it just so happens that we are highlighting an interview Be the Bridge founder and our host, Latasha Morrison, had with Pastor Raymond Chang as we welcome in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month. They have an important conversation surrounding breaking the stigmas of mental health, discipling students, and acknowledging history. Latasha and Raymond talk about a life-changing trip he took called the Reclaim Trip, where he and others with the Asian American Christian Collaborative toured historical Asian American Civil Rights sites in California. It was a trip that fostered remembering history and reclaiming identity. And he and Latasha even dream up an incredible opportunity for the Be the Bridge community. We are all connected; and gaining historical context helps us better understand, empathize, and lead in the church and in the culture. We love our community of listeners and we want to know more about you! Find the Listener Survey Here. (One participant will receive a Be the Bridge swag bag!) Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon PottsAssistant Producer & Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“It's like most people don't see how the discipleship that many of us have inherited is actually a discipleship into deformation instead of a formation into Christ.” -Raymond Chang “I don't think that you can fully understand how heinous white supremacy is until you see how it has affected the African American community, how it's affected and manifests within the Indigenous population, within the Asian American population, and the Latino population.” -Raymond Chang “Understanding that history helps us move forward today in more solidarity.” -Latasha Morrison “The more you understand the problem, the more you're able to actually concoct a solution, or at least be a faithful presence to try to be one.” -Raymond Chang Links:Asian American Christian CollaborativeTENx10 CollaborationEpic Movement - Community of CRU for Asian AmericansManzanar Connect with Raymond Chang:His WebsiteInstagramTwitter Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Beloved Bible teacher and best selling author, Beth Moore, joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, once again on the podcast. They discuss her new memoir: All My Knotted Up Life and some of the stories she shares in it of growing up in racialized settings in Arkansas and Texas. They lament how we find ourselves in a time of being unable to reason together and of people looking away from injustice. Latasha and Beth agree on the need to know definitions in the language surrounding racial justice, that it is good and right to always be learning, and that remembering is a sacred act. They laugh together and share wisdom together. Beth is living proof of humble leadership and dedicated companionship.  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts at Integrated Entertainment Studios Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We know that beauty is going to come from the ashes, but the ashes are just so hot at times.”  -Latasha Morrison “How long, Lord? When will lives be more important than sides?” -Beth Moore “You don't have to worry that God's just taking this side or he's taking that side. He's just taking over.” -Beth Moore “I want to be a companion to those who have been mistreated.” -Beth Moore Links: All My Knotted Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore Connect with Beth Moore: Her Website Facebook  Instagram Twitter Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization. Find the full episode transcript here.

As a faith leader and activist, Michelle Ferrigno Warren understands the power of proximity and of holding stories with honor and dignity. In this powerful episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast with founder and host Latasha Morrison, she and Latasha talk about God’s heart for justice, the lack of mercy immigrants are met with crossing the border, and the bad shape of the witness of the American Church.Michelle shares about her personal journey in Italy of seeing the empire on display at the Colosseum. And you do not want to miss their discussion of the upside down Kingdom of God as they exegete Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25. This is the perfect conversation for the Be the Bridge community the week of Easter. May we join Jesus and the prophets in the work of resistance, in the work of being disruptors, in the work of granting life and peace. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts at Integrated Entertainment StudiosTranscriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“Advocacy is not mission drift for the church. It's the work of the Church.”  -Michelle Ferrigno Warren “I can never unsee and unhear the stories.” -Latasha Morrison “I lament the reality of injustice in a country that says that they want to be defined as liberty and justice for all.” -Michelle Ferrigno Warren Links:Virago StrategiesOpen Door MinistriesChristian Community Development Association (CCDA)National Immigration ForumThe Power of Proximity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action book By Michelle Ferrigno WarrenJoin the Resistance: Step into the Good Work of Kingdom Justice book by Michelle Ferrigno WarrenWomen of WelcomeWomen of Welcome “Who is Welcome Here?” documentaryGod’s Long Summer bookPrayer of Oscar Romero Connect with Michelle Ferrigno Warren:Her WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization. Find the full episode transcript here.

The NAACP Image Award-winning author, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, for a profound conversation this Women’s History Month. Listeners get the honor of hearing Tracey talk about the sacred relationship of Black women and the women who have personally impacted her. There is beauty and depth, wisdom and vulnerability in Tracey’s story and words. Latasha and Tracey discuss what it looks like to work faithfully without recognition and the words of Jesus in John 5 about being made well as it relates to racial trauma. You’ll be challenged to find what brings you joy and to guard it. And you’ll be encouraged that joy can coexist with sorrow and anger. Listen in to hear the other “L” that Tracey adds to Listen, Learn, and Leverage. Then, head to our social media profiles to discuss this episode with the Be the Bridge community. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha MorrisonSenior Producer - Lauren C. BrownProducer, Editor, & Music - Travon PottsTranscriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“I always say that Black folks are the ultimate alchemists. We have learned how to transform pain.” -Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts “There are people that will get it and some people who won't. And if I'm so worried about the people who won't get it, the people who are here will get overlooked. It's in Matthew where it says you sometimes just gotta shake the dust off your sandals. We're gonna shake the dust off our Jordans and keep it moving.” -Latasha Morrison “Joy is teaching me to hope.” -Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts Links:Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration  book by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-GiggettsThen They Came for Mine: Healing from the Trauma of Racial Violence  book by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-GiggettsHeARTtalk with Tracey Michae’l  PodcastHeArtspace: A Newsletter for Our Healing Journeys by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts Connect with Tracey Michae’l Lewis-GiggettsHer WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebook Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

For Women’s History Month, we present a conversation full of the hurts and joys, laments and hopes of a sacred Black story. Marcie Alvis Walker, the woman behind the popular Instagram account Black Coffee with White Friends, joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, for a dynamic conversation. They discuss being Black in predominantly white settings, the white backlash that comes after Black gain, and the effects of generational trauma. They dive into the beauty of mercy and what true integration means. You won’t want to miss Marcie’s words about the Asbury revival and the time of Moses in the wilderness. This conversation will be beneficial to all listeners. And Latasha brings a great reminder for white listeners: “It's an honor when we invite you into these sacred conversations. When we invite you into our pain and our stories, and a lot of times that's for you to listen, and to ask yourself - ‘What is God trying to say to me in this?’ ‘What is God speaking?’ ‘What am I missing?’”  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “It's really important for us to see that it's not about what the room looks like. It's about what our humanity looks like in that room.” -Marcie Alvis Walker “I believe that what was happening in 2020 was part of revival.” -Latasha Morrison “It's one thing to be made equal; it's another thing to be treated equal. It's one thing to be made equal, and then treated equal; it's another thing to have equity. It's one thing to be made equal, treated equal, have equity; but it's a whole nother thing to have retribution and reparations and reconciliation - all which are biblical.” -Marcie Alvis Walker “When you're able to connect culturally it's just a beautiful thing.” -Latasha Morrison  Connect with Marcie Alvis Walker: Her Website Instagram Twitter Black Eyed Stories Substack Preorder Everybody Come Alive: A Memoir in Essays book by Marcie Alvis Walker Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization

As one of the founding pastors of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta and a co-founder of Portrait Coffee, John Onwuchekwa knows how to humbly lead and how to nurture a holistic vision of community. In this episode, John and host Latasha Morrison discuss the history of the West End of Atlanta and the example of redlining as systemic racism. They talk about the importance of creating new narratives through opportunities and perspectives. They both share stories of personal grief and how that impacts the work they do. John’s insights into business and community development, Ecclesiastes, and joyful perseverance will bring encouragement and hope.  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “Some people are called to start the work. And then there's others that are called to finish it, to take it on to the next level.” -Latasha Morrison “Maybe even through the bitterness of life, there's ways to find hope and joy and perseverance.” -John Onwuchekwa “Where do we go from here? We just take the very next step. And then once we get to that next step where both feet are firmly planted, we ask and answer that same question.” -John Onwuchekwa Terms: Redlining - the discriminatory practice in the United States that began in the 1930s of the government outlining certain geographic areas based upon race or ethnicity in order to deny services (both directly and indirectly) such as loans or insurance to someone because they were deemed to be a high financial risk; an inequitable and unjust practice that predominantly affected Black AmericansConnect with  John Onwuchekwa: His Website Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter

We welcome in Black History Month with an episode from the Be the Bridge team! Sean Watkins, Kaylee Morgan, and Mariah Humphries join Latasha Morrison to talk about all things Black History Month because Black history is American history and Black History Month is for all people. If you’ve ever wondered about the history of February as Black History Month or why histories are separated in the American education system, you don’t want to miss this conversation. If you want space to feel seen and heard as a Black person during this month, you don’t want to miss this conversation.The Be the Bridge team provides listeners with depth, laughter, and things to lament and celebrate. They give personal stories of what Black history means to them and they give recommended resources and lessons to walk away with. Be encouraged that it is never too late to learn. The incredible Black history many of us missed out on growing up can be redeemed now in how we listen, learn, lament, and leverage our lives. May we work together to make sure the full story is told. May we celebrate the beauty and the resilience of the Black community this month and every month. Links: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Store Recommendations: The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson Dr. Brittney Cooper Eloquent Rage by Dr. Brittney Cooper Elizabeth Eckford picture on first day of school The Charles H Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit  Connect with Kaylee Morgan Connect with Sean Watkins Connect with Mariah Humphries  Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Why do politics matter? Why should Christians be engaged in politics? Is social justice compatible with the gospel? Pastor Eugene Cho joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host Latasha Morrison on this episode to discuss these questions and more. He brings wise insight into faithful living in this time. You’ll be pastored and encouraged by the words and work of Pastor Cho. He and Latasha remind us that even now Jesus is moving and working. Quotes: “Here's the most simple reason why I believe politics matter: politics influences policies that ultimately impact people.” -Eugene Cho “Sociologists are telling us that political identity is growing to become the most dominant way in which we see ourselves in the world. And I think to myself, that's idolatry.” -Eugene Cho “You cannot love your neighbors if you don't know your neighbors.” -Eugene Cho Links: Connect with Eugene Cho: His Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Bread for the World Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization

In the midst of so much tragedy and so much to lament after recent times of white supremacy raging through racial terrorism and gun massacres, Latasha Morrison spoke with trauma therapist Dr. Anita Phillips for a timely and needed word. Dr. Anita shares about the importance of singing together, of physical touch, and of living sacrificially as a follower of Jesus. She dives deep into God’s design of emotions and the connection between our hearts and brains. This episode is filled with Dr. Anita’s pastoral voice as she invites us into a better understanding of how God created us to feel and to live. Quotes: “With everything that we have going on from some of the police violence with Black and Brown brothers and sisters, from Buffalo, to Texas, it's just all really too much to bear. I cannot understand how to do this apart from Christ.”  -Latasha Morrison “Our mental health, our relational health, our spiritual health is being undermined by how uncomfortable we are and how inarticulate we are and inadequate we are with emotion.” -Dr. Anita Phillips “When I'm watching Jesus, I see Jesus expressing emotion freely and often with words and with his body.” -Dr. Anita Phillips Links: Connect with Dr. Anita Phillips: Her Website Instagram YouTube Facebook Twitter Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization

On this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, founder and host Latasha Morrison is joined by Tiffany Henness and Gina Fimbel to discuss transracial adoption. They talk about the importance of centering adoptee voices and of learning from adoptee’s experiences and ethnicities. This needed conversation deals with the ways our society has gotten things wrong with adoption and the ways to grow and do better. Listen in and lean in so we can build bridges and create safer and healthier spaces for adoptees. Quotes: “We think it's important that we empower those where this is their lived experience to do most of the talking. And so we do not want to silence those voices, because they are not voiceless. They’re just unheard.” -Latasha Morrison “We often talk about adoption in such a simple way: black, white; it's all unicorns and rainbows. And I think that's a really dangerous and problematic way to frame it, because it really severely limits the public's perception about the complex dynamics of adoption and the trauma that's associated with it, not only for first families, but for adoptees as well.” -Gina Fimbel “When I'm with other transracial adoptees, that's where I have felt the most freedom to be me.” -Tiffany Henness Links: Resources: Be the Bridge TRA Resources Be the Bridge Blog of Resources for Transracially Adopted People of Color Be the Bridge Panel Discussions: Colin in Black and White Connect with Tiffany Henness: Patreon Instagram Journeying Home: Advent Readings for Adoptees Deconstructing their Faith Tiffany’s LinksConnect with Gina Fimbel: Instagram Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization

In this special bonus Christmas episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, Latasha Morrison is joined by three women she met at Christmas Con this year. Gina, India, and Rena have fun with Latasha discussing Hallmark Christmas movies. Their laughter will get you into the Christmas spirit. They also take notice of the improvements that Hallmark has made with diversity and inclusion in front of the screen and behind it. Movies (even feel-good, predictable Hallmark Christmas movies) broaden our imaginations and help remind us of the power and necessity of representation. Quotes: “We were at Christmas Con to feel that Christmas spirit.” -Latasha Morrison “I'm not really a holiday person. But it's just something about those Hallmark channels. We watch them over and over and over. But it just gives you that good feeling.” -Gina “I love to see us in roles of excellence.” -India “I've always been a Christmas person. I love Christmas.” -Rena Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization

Comfort. Peace. Joy. What word would describe this holiday season for you? Latasha Morrison brings together Michele Evans, Micah Smith, and Lauren Brown of the Be the Bridge executive leadership team to share some of their favorite Christmas traditions, memories, and meals. From the tender memories to the funny ones, and the decorations to the gifts, this episode is one full of Christmas cheer and heartfelt thoughts. May we acknowledge the tensions this season holds while embracing the grief and the celebrations. May we join together in laughter and in tears. And may we open our tables whether they hold Coca-Cola salad, cookies, or Breakfast burritos. Quotes: “Advent is a time that we remember who we serve. I know without Christ I could not do the work that I'm doing.” -Latasha Morrison “There's just something about Christmas when everything just kind of slows down a little bit.” -Micah Smith “There's some beauty in this season in the midst of a lot of brokenness.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Resources Mentioned: She Reads Truth - Advent 2022: Joy of Every Longing Heart Truth’s Table - The King is Coming: An Advent Devotional Other Advent Resources: “Advent Devotionals Highlight Immigration and the Black Church Tradition” article on Faithfully Magazine Mary Had a Baby: An Advent Bible Study Based on African American Spirituals by Cheryl A. Kirk-Duggan “2020 ADVENT RESOURCES, WEEK 2: BLACK LITURGIES” article on Emerging Scholars Network  Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

There is so much about American history that we aren’t taught in the American school systems. There is so much that isn’t exposed. But this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast reveals America’s culinary founding father, James Hemings. Chef Ashbell McElveen and Visual Storyteller Anthony Werhun discuss their new documentary on Hemings with Latasha Morrison. Their conversation is full of untold stories, rich Black history, and collective lament. This is a reminder of the importance of stewarding history well and reclaiming stories that need to be told. This is an episode you do not want to miss. Quotes: “We want to make sure that we're passing on the correct information to the next generation because stories matter, narratives matter, history matters, who has power matters, who tells the story. It all matters.” -Latasha Morrison “Through the making of this documentary with James Hemings, I discovered that literally enslaved Black cooks and chefs created fine dining in America. So James Hemings literally put fine taste in Thomas Jefferson's mouth, not the reverse. And that's the value of this documentary.” -Chef Ashbell McElveen "James Hemings was a big part of this country's formation. And for some reason, that story has been oppressed for a couple 100 years. It's just this little blurb, but it's much bigger.” -Anthony Werhun Resources Mentioned: James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen documentary on Amazon Prime Video James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen Facebook profile James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen Instagram profile James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen website Shannon LaNier Voices of the Civil Rights Movement Black Culinary History Connect with Chef Ashbell McElveen: His Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Anthony Werhun: His Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

What does it mean that God is global? How can we long for and pursue justice in a beautiful way? Sandra Maria Van Opstal is a second-generation Latina and the executive director of Chasing Justice. She is an amazing author and pastor, leader, and activist joining Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast to answer these questions and more. She powerfully reminds us that we are all connected to one another and that we need one another. They discuss the rich gift that immigrants and refugees are to the church. They talk about the importance of mutuality. And they dive into how to develop leaders across cultures. Join Sandra and Latasha as they lament and hope together, and may we journey collectively into The Next Worship. Quotes: “What does it look like to live a lifestyle of justice beyond a hashtag and beyond a protest, but into a lifestyle of compassion and justice?” -Sandra Maria Van Opstal “If I don't consider myself an evangelical, it's because evangelicals don't consider me. Evangelicals don't consider my community.” -Sandra Maria Van Opstal Links: Resources Mentioned: A Rhythm of Prayer The Next Worship Voices of Lament Forty Days on Being an Eight Enneagram Daily Reflections book set The Next Worship Bible Study Connect with Sandra Maria Van Opstal: Her Website Instagram Connect with Chasing Justice: Their Website Facebook Instagram Podcast Network Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

There has been a tremendous amount of personal and collective grief over the past couple of years. Navigating it all has been hard. And for those in positions of leadership, it’s been all the more burdensome. So how do we pay attention to the past, look ahead to the future, but live and do the work in this moment? How do we process and grow into all the grief? Author and speaker, pastor, and leader Jeanne Stevens shares beautiful wisdom with the Be the Bridge community about the difference in blame, shame, and guilt and the need to live at peace with God with ourselves so that we can live at peace with others. She and Latasha Morrison talk about the importance of accessing the presence of God. And they discuss what is helpful and unhelpful in the grieving process. This grace filled conversation will help you embrace change, appreciate losses, and remember that you are not alone. Quotes: “The scriptures say that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, which is our hope that we can lean on. But the only place where we can experience God is in the present.” -Jeanne Stevens “What we cannot face, we cannot change”. -Jeanne Stevens “We cannot experience the peace of God if we don't know how to access the presence of God. And the presence of God is always the here and the now.” -Jeanne Stevens “On the other side, there can be joy again. On the other side, there will be hope again.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ads: Get 25% off your first year of the Abide premium app by texting BTB to 22433Connect with Jeanne Stevens: Her Book: What’s Here Now? Her Website Facebook Instagram Soul City Church Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram TwitterConnect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

This episode brings together faith leaders Kathryn Freeman, Jenny Yang, and Michael Wear to discuss a hot button issue-civic engagement for American Christians.  We'll hear from each of them about what it means for followers of Christ to love their neighbors through politics, voting, and the "third space."  How do we move from awareness to action, and action to advocacy?  Our amazing guests help us understand the challenges and rewards of participation in the political sphere as people of faith. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: "There's nothing wrong with being political. All of us are political beings, all of us live in structures and governments, and communities in which all of us need to come together to make important decisions that impact the common good."  - Jenny Yang “The fine line is between being political and being partisan because oftentimes, partisanship can mean blind allegiance to a specific political party or candidate without realizing that there are faults with specific candidates and parties. And not a single political party or person will ever encompass the fully, perfectly balanced agenda that I believe we’re supposed to pursue in our society.” - Jenny Yang “Faithful political engagement means that you’re willing to put faithfulness over short term political gain. It also means that you’re not just in politics for your own self-interest, that you’re not just going to politics to get your own needs met.” - Michael Wear “I’m convinced people are going to politics a lot these days for spiritual and emotional needs. We find those needs met in Christ, and so we’re freed up to go into politics to affirm human dignity and advance justice.” - Michael Wear “There has to be a separation of who I am as an American and a citizen of this democracy, and who I am as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. And I think oftentimes we blend those two things together as if America is a Christian nation, and it doesn’t matter that we’ve made an idol or that we live in a way where those identities are blended.” - Kathryn Freeman “The reality is, whether you’re liberal or conservative, you should feel like, ‘I can’t go with that, because my first identity is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.’ And if you never feel that tension, if the country is always doing what you feel like aligns with God, then I would say that the God that you’re worshipping is not the God of the Bible. It’s not the Jesus of the red letters.” - Kathryn Freeman LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Download Abide Sleep and Pray Meditation today and text my promo code BTB to 22433 today to get 25% off!

Milton Stewart joins Latasha Morrison on the Be the Bridge Podcast for an episode dedicated to the Enneagram! As the founder of Kaizen Careers, Coaching and Consulting LLC and one of the very few African American male Enneagram teachers in the world, Milton brings his expertise and wisdom to a conversation unlike others revolving around this tool for self-awareness and empathy. They look at the origins of the Enneagram, how it helps in communication, and how the Enneagram can aid in conversations around racial justice. Milton and Latasha share how important self-awareness is in the journey of caring for our communities and working to bring about justice. You’ll leave this episode with an appreciation for Enneagram work that goes deeper than memes and with a great set of resources to dive into. Quotes: “The Enneagram is like a journey or map. When you work with it the right way, it's a tool to help you on a journey to help you find deeper self-awareness to transform yourself.” -Milton Stewart “When there's diversity and inclusion at the table, it makes for a more robust conversation.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Store Resources: Forty Days on Being an Eight book by Sandra Van Opstal The Enneagram for Black Liberation book by Chichi Agorom Know Justice, Know Peace book by Dr. Deborah Egerton The Complete Enneagram book by Beatrice Chestnut Reclaiming You book by Sharon K. Ball The Body Keeps the Score book by Bessel Van Der Kolk Milton Stewart: Kaizen Careers Kaizen Careers Facebook Kaizen Careers Instagram Kaizen Careers LinkedIn Do it for the Gram Podcast Do it for the Gram Podcast Instagram LinkedIn Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison  Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown  Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts  Transcriber - Sarah Connatser

Leader and author, executive coach, and veteran Marine, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson has a prayer that her latest work would be a classic. Voices of Lament: Reflections on Brokenness and Hope in a World Longing for Justice is a compilation of voices of women of color that is a timeless and unique work full of good words for our souls. Latasha Morrison discusses this rich book with Natasha and Mariah Humphries, Be the Bridge’s Director of Marketing and Innovation and one of the book’s 29 contributors. Listen in as they tackle subjects like recognizing culture as God intended, discipleship and biblical illiteracy, the systemic injustices in Christian publishing, and the challenges of leading as a Black woman. May this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast remind us all of the beauty and necessity of different languages, different stories, different experiences, different histories, and different people groups. “Women of color, probably more than anyone in this world, but certainly in our country, we understand our lives being interrupted by things we don't have control over. Whether it's systemic injustice or family things or children things. And yet, we persevere through the suffering, through the mourning, through the lament.” -Natasha Robinson “I wanted to stay very true to who I am as one voice, as a Mvskoke voice, but also part of one voice of a collective. And I thought it was just a beautiful combination of spiritual faith, and then a lived experience of ancestral experience.” -Mariah Humphries Links: Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge StoreResource Mentioned: Voices of Lament book edited by Natasha Robinson Leadership LINKS Connect with Natasha Robinson: Her Website Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Download Abide Sleep and Pray Meditation today and text my promo code BTB to 22433 today to get 25% off! Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Have you ever questioned if Christianity is a white man’s religion? Have you ever wondered if there is a better way to do missions and church planting? African Missiologist and thought leader, Mekdes Haddis joins Latasha Morrison on this Be the Bridge podcast episode to challenge the Western Church’s view on missions. She invites listeners into a history of Ethiopian Christianity and how the Doctrine of Discovery remains embedded in the modern mission movement. Their discussion points to the brutal impact of good intentions and how church plants can often be facilitators of gentrification. Mekdes reminds us that Black and Brown leaders and pastors are already doing the work and there are wholesome ways to empower, support, and join them in that work. This needed conversation, along with Mekdes’ book A Just Mission, encourages a reframing of missions and a pursuit of racial righteousness. Quotes: “Christianity is not Western culture.” -Latasha Morrison “For anybody that says Christianity is a white man's religion, I would say go and visit the ancient Ethiopian churches that have been there for centuries, before any white man ever came into Africa.” -Mekdes Haddis “Our good intent does not always produce good impact.” -Mekdes Haddis Links: Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge StoreResource Mentioned: A Just Mission book by Mekdes Haddis Connect with Mekdes Haddis: Her Website Just Missions Facebook Group Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram Twitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

If you long to see God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, this conversation is for you. Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison, is joined by Pastor Inés Velásquez-McBryde. She brings her heart, experiences, and wisdom to this episode as they discuss the dynamics of multi-ethnic churches. They consider the importance of understanding systemic history in order to plant multi-ethnic churches and the history of colonization in the Americas, the liberating power of lamentation and the hope and beauty of reimagining church. They also connect the struggle of the early church in desegregation and in integration with the continued struggles in the U.S. church today. If you are a pastor doing the work of reconciliation, stay tuned until the end to hear Pastor Inés speak a powerful prayer over you. This needed conversation holds the needed reminders of the gift of the Brown church and the continual goodness of God. Quotes: “The immigrant church in the U.S. is a gift. The Brown church is a gift to the U.S. church. We are a means of God's grace.” -Inés Velásquez-McBryde “Often I found out that people wanted proximity to people of color in the pew, but they did not want proximity to the pain of people of color outside of the pew.” -Inés Velásquez-McBryde “We are only adopted into the family of God because of justice.” -Latasha Morrison  “Reckoning has to begin with repentance. And if there's no lamentation, there cannot be liberation.” -Inés Velásquez-McBryde “This work as a reconciler is a lifestyle and we're always learning.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ads:Become a Recurring Partner of Be the BridgeShop the Be the Bridge Store Connect with Pastor Inés Velásquez-McBryde:InstagramTwitterBlogThe Church We Hope For Connect with Be the Bridge:Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitter Connect with Latasha Morrison:FacebookInstagramTwitter Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

If you want to see hope in action, just take a look at our youth! Here at Be the Bridge, we are passionate about equipping and empowering students to step forward in the work of racial healing, racial equity, and racial unity right where they are. For this episode of the podcast, Patricia Taylor, Be the Bridge’s Director of Programs, talks with Kaylee Morgan, Be the Bridge’s Youth & University Program Manager, and two students, Sydney Middleton and Regan Murray, to discuss our youth guide and their involvement in a group. They share the ways they are learning and growing as individuals and as students in a trusted community. They are leading the way in this work, are having brave conversations, and are reminding us to never underestimate the power of small steps along the journey and small conversations in daily life. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We're here to equip the next generation to continue to do the work and empower them to empower those that follow right after them.” -Kaylee Morgan “We do this work for the betterment of us all.” -Patricia Taylor “You can't educate others without really educating yourself.” -Sydney Middleton “You never know how a small conversation could change someone's whole perspective on an issue.” -Regan Murray “I really do believe this next generation is going to see some monumental things when it comes to justice work in the justice movement and justice actually being served.” -Kaylee Morgan Links: Ad for Epic Will:  EpicWill.com [use promo code BTB20 for 20% off] Become a Be the Bridge Partner: BeTheBridge.com/giveShop the Be the Bridge Store: Shop.BeTheBridge.com Be the Bridge Youth:   BTByouth.com instagram.com/btbyouth twitter.com/btbyouth tiktok.com/@bethebridge_ Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com  facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/ Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison

Lisa Fields is one of the world’s most sought-after Christian apologists and the Founder and President of the Jude 3 Project. She transcends tribalism and creates resources to help the Black Christian community know what they believe and why they believe it. Her story of struggling with Christianity has allowed her to bring clarity to others. And her conversation in this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast with Founder and Host Latasha Morrison points out the necessity of having Black leaders in theological spaces, the necessity of listening with empathy to the real questions people are wrestling with, and the necessity of holding a humble hermeneutic. They discuss the psychological impact of images of white bible characters and Jesus. They also give hopeful reminders of where Christianity began and that God is working things for good. Don’t miss this episode with Lisa Fields and the good work of the Jude 3 Project. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “I thought it was important to focus on the African American community, to answer the questions that our community is asking, to approach it the way our community would be able to receive it, and also for people to see themselves as apologists.” -Lisa Fields “Because I'm not called to one tribe, I understand that I have to transcend the tribalism.” -Lisa Fields “If you're giving a defense for the faith and you're not doing it with gentleness and respect, you're not doing biblical apologetics. You're doing something else.” -Lisa Fields Links: Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Store Resources Mentioned: Truth’s Table Podcast episode with Lisa Fields and Latasha Morrison Video of Muhammed Ali talking about white Jesus Unspoken Movie Courageous Conversations Conference Jude 3 Project Podcast Jude 3 Project Online Shop  Connect with Lisa Fields: Instagram Twitter  Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Connect with Latasha Morrison: Facebook Instagram 

With the gun violence epidemic in our country, one brave step we can take is to have courageous conversations. This episode is part of our Take is to the Bridge series where we do a deeper dive into societal and cultural issues with the intent of exposing our listeners to opportunities for the reassessment of their own values and perspectives. Have you ever wondered about the history of gun ownership in the U.S. or of the original intent of the Second Amendment? In a time where we have more guns than people, what does a collective response to this gun idolization and violence look like? Elizabeth Behrens and Gina Fimbel join Latasha Morrison to give historical context into the gun debate. May this conversation remind us that we are all connected and allow lament and hope to foster needed change. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “When we're able to apply that lens of history, we're able to really shift our perspective and make some more informed decisions.” -Elizabeth Behrens  “Part of racial bridge building is to be able to have vulnerable, historically informed, nuanced conversations about race and racism in America. Let's embrace that same mindset, that same sort of path forward with this debate too.” -Elizabeth Behrens “Hope requires us to take action.” -Gina Fimbel  “We've made a mistake of thinking that military superiority is a moral superiority.” -Gina Fimbel “My citizenship is just not tied to me, but it's collective. It's tied to other people.” -Latasha Morrison Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Store Resources Mentioned: The Brady Plan Moms Demand Action Sandy Hook Promise Be the Bridge: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Latasha Morrison: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

As a public theologian and a midwife of culture for grace and truth, Ekemini Uwan speaks and writes words of truth, of conviction, of wisdom. She joins Latasha Morrison on this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast to discuss the new book she co-authored, Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation. They talk through the chapters she wrote on colorism, deconstruction and decolonization, the realities of living single as a Black woman in America, and diaspora dreams. This conversation is packed with deep insights and knowledge. Ekemini shares needed reminders of the fundamentals of our faith and blackness as an image of God. She vulnerably shares parts of her story and heart. Ekemini is a theologian we can all learn from. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “Just because we're centering Black women doesn't mean you can't learn. In fact, you can learn a whole lot from a group that is deeply oppressed in this land about what it means to not only be resilient, but to overcome, to persevere, to bask in joy and Black joy.” -Ekemini Uwan “You cannot be anti-racist and be a colorist. You have to be anti-racist and anti-colorist.” -Ekemini Uwan Links: Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Store Resources Mentioned: Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation Book by Ekemini Uwan, Christina Edmondson, and Michelle Higgins Ekemini Uwan’s blog “Deconolized Discipleship” Truth’s Table podcast Get in the Word with Truth’s Table podcast Black Women, Black Love: America’s War on African American Marriage by Dianne M. Stewart Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism by Derrick Bell Ekemini Uwan:Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Be the Bridge:Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Latasha Morrison: Website Instagram

It is important in this bridge-building work to be reminded of the good being done on a local level. So for this episode, guest host Dr. Will Gravely is joined by three women who are leading and reproducing Be the Bridge groups through their local church. Lisa Miller, Beth Yokley, and Rikeesha Phelon share their individual and collective experiences engaged in this work. This look into their connections and conversations from their Be the Bridge groups is hopeful for us all and will be helpful for anyone wanting to begin their own local group. They share the important aspects of creating groups that are psychologically safe spaces for people of color, that see this work as part of discipleship, and that know the cost is worth it. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “It is so important, not just for people of color and white people who are geared toward justice, but I think the work of anti-racism and Be the Bridge is part of discipleship, and it's part of how we mirror Christ-like behavior to the world.” -Rikeesha Phelon “We have got to, as brothers and sisters in Christ, be able to have difficult conversations because we're united by the love of Jesus. If we can't have these conversations, who can?” -Beth Yokley “It's important that Christians have this conversation because of that command of love, but also because we're all created in God's image. Imago Dei. And if we believe that then we need to act like that.” -Lisa Miller Links: Ads: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge Shop the Be the Bridge Store Resources Mentioned: Be the Bridge by Latasha Morrison Hope Church Guest Host: Dr. Will Gravely Be the Bridge: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Latasha Morrison: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Happy Father's Day from That Sounds Fun Network & Be the Bridge! Today we have a special bonus episode to share with you celebrating dads & all we love about them. In this episode, hosts from all different That Sounds Fun Network shows -- including me -- share what we love about our dads/and advice about being a dad. ALSO! Our friends over at Storyworth are giving away TWO free subscriptions for our TSF Network listeners! To enter: visit thatsoundsfunnetwork.com & enter your email in the pop-up. That's it! Good luck & Happy Father's Day!

What is the significance of Juneteenth becoming a national holiday? How should we celebrate Juneteenth? What are the links between faith and freedom? Listen in to pastor, content creator, and scholar Rasool Berry share the important historical and spiritual contexts of Juneteenth, where on June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was enforced in Galveston, Texas freeing Black African Americans who were enslaved. This Jubilee Day carried weighty implications for faith and society then and continues to today. Dr. Will Gravely hosts this incredible conversation for the Be the Bridge community that you do not want to miss. Quotes: “Juneteenth is an intrinsic opportunity to build bridges between the past and the present.” -Rasool Berry “Juneteenth offers us an opportunity to think about both the resistance to that resetting of the relationship but also the ongoing need for us to renew our minds about how we see each other as coequals, and that legacy of that story of white supremacy has still continued throughout time in 157 years since.” -Rasool Berry “This institution of slavery had implications across every area of life. It wasn't just socially, it was psychologically, even theologically. And so, the Union soldiers did not come to inform, they came to enforce.” -Dr. Will Gravely Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Links: Become a Recurring Partner of Be the Bridge: BeTheBridge.com/Give Shop the Be the Bridge Store: Shop.BeTheBridge.com Rasool Berry: rasoolberry.com/   facebook.com/rasool.berry   twitter.com/rasoolberry   Where Ya From? Podcast Dr. Will Gravely: instagram.com/dr.willgravely/Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder   youtube.com/channel/UCMLWkgwF53UExW_8SWEoI7gLatasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

In this special bonus episode that you will not want to miss, Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison talks with Dr. Claudia May. Along with being a professor and the Director of the Reconciliation Studies Program at Bethel University, Dr. May is a poet, scholar, and award-winning children's book author. She joins Latasha in this episode to discuss Juneteenth. They dive into the history, the beauty, the complexities around the important day. The depth of this conversation will bring enlightenment, healing, and hope. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “And what the spirituals remind us is that these were composers, creators, theologians, critical thinkers who did their exegesis, did their hermeneutics through the spirituals.” -Dr. Claudia May “We need to acknowledge pain and injustice, and we address that. But we also need to embrace the truth that Black people are contributors.” -Dr. Claudia May “We need a variety of stories speaking about a variety of experiences that show us that Black people are not monolithic. We're complex human beings and multilayered. We need to see that.” -Dr. Claudia May “Some of the principles for me of Juneteenth: acknowledging the injustices that we have confronted and ignored and lived through, to learn about and celebrate the histories and contributions of Black people, and applaud our lives and gifts and achievements.” -Dr. Claudia May “I often say to my students, y'all need to travel, especially my Black students. Y'all to travel to see the impact we're having on world culture. Juneteenth acknowledges those kinds of contributions.” -Dr. Claudia May “Our artistic expressions give multiple people's ways to access what their truth means to them.” -Dr. Claudia May“That we continue to learn from our ancestors, which is what Juneteenth reminds us. That we are interconnected, and that those in the past can contribute to our present. We don't have to be confined to our ancestors. But our ancestors, the cloud of witnesses shaped us, they can inform how we engage with the injustices that we encounter.” -Dr. Claudia May LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

As we celebrate the sixth birthday of Be the Bridge, we are peering into the heartbeat of the organization: Be the Bridge Groups.  Be the Bridge groups. Guest podcast host Dr. Will Gravely connects with two Be the Bridge group leaders, Regina Alexander and Leah Anderson, as they share their experiences in leading and navigating local groups and virtual groups over the years. Be the Bridge groups are where this hard work of moving toward racial healing, racial equity, and racial unity is engaged. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder   youtube.com/channel/UCMLWkgwF53UExW_8SWEoI7g Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison

In the midst of so much tragedy and so much to lament after weeks of white supremacy raging through racial terrorism and gun massacres, Latasha Morrison spoke with trauma therapist Dr. Anita Phillips for a timely and needed word. Dr. Anita shares about the importance of singing together, of physical touch, and of living sacrificially as a follower of Jesus. She dives deep into God’s design of emotions and the connection between our hearts and brains. This episode is filled with Dr. Anita’s pastoral voice as she invites us into a better understanding of how God created us to feel and to live. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “With everything that we have going on from some of the police violence with Black and Brown brothers and sisters, from Buffalo, to Texas, it's just all really too much to bear. I cannot understand how to do this apart from Christ.”  -Latasha Morrison “Our mental health, our relational health, our spiritual health is being undermined by how uncomfortable we are and how inarticulate we are and inadequate we are with emotion.” -Dr. Anita Phillips “When I'm watching Jesus, I see Jesus expressing emotion freely and often with words and with his body.” -Dr. Anita Phillips Links: Dr. Anita Phillips:  anitaphillips.com/   instagram.com/dranitaphillips/   youtube.com/channel/UC6R3uJOyDHGvnaXHYfUC91Q   facebook.com/DrAnitaPhillips   twitter.com/dranitaphillips Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

If you’ve ever wondered about the term and concept of whiteness, if you’ve ever wondered how there can be such differences between white Christians and Black Christians, if you’ve ever wondered about how reconciliation and justice play a role in spiritual maturity, this conversation is for you. Pastor David Swanson joins Latasha Morrison to talk through the biblical exegesis and cultural exegesis of racial righteousness and discipleship. Their deep discussion is covered in the beauty and necessity of truth, of hospitality, of perseverance. This episode will leave you with a better understanding of how we got to where we are in the American church context and with hope for the days to come. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “What would it look like for a majority white ministry or church to take seriously the call to discipling Christians, so that they stand more and more in solidarity with the whole body of Christ, so that our witness to Jesus could be that much more powerful?” -David Swanson “This is profoundly spiritual work that we do. As much as we need other resources and tools, at the end of the day this is a work that only the Spirit of God can accomplish.” -David Swanson “If we're going to do this well in a healthy manner, we're going to have to directly and regularly confront whiteness. We will have to name it, we'll have to talk about what it looks like, we'll have to talk about how it manifests in very specific ways. But we'll have to do that in a way that doesn't just quote, unquote, educate white people, but actually is good news to the people of color in the room as well.” -David Swanson “When we see each other as God sees us, we wouldn't see our differences as something that sets us against one another, but something that brings us together and causes beauty that points back to God.” -Latasha Morrison Links:Ad for Charity Water: CharityWater.org/BridgePastor David Swanson: dwswanson.com/ twitter.com/davidswanson facebook.com/PastorDavidWSwanson/ instagram.com/david.w.swanson/ David Swanson’s Rediscipling the White Church: ivpress.com/rediscipling-the-white-churchNew Community Covenant Church: newcommunitycovenant.com/ Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison instagram.com/latashamorrison/

Music has the power to transform and transcend; it can build bridges and recognize intersections. Tongan American creative artist, Aisea Taimani’s honest music does just that. Listen in as he discusses glocal worship with Be the Bridge founder and podcast host, Latasha Morrison. They dive into the value of different worship styles and the necessity of experiencing them. This conversation is a reminder of the intentionally diverse creation of God and the amazing beauty found in the church. Glocal worship is an invitation to celebrate and to lament, to hope and to empathize as we work to bring God’s Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We've always heard local and global. But I think this term [glocal] was just an opportunity to really imagine how we look at the world, especially as a people of faith, recognizing that in order to reach people, you no longer have to travel out of your country.”  -Aisea Taimani  “Learning the songs from different cultures and different languages has really actually deepened my theology and given me tools to move towards curiosity rather than judgments whenever I experience something that's different, especially in church.” -Aisea Taimani “I promise you that when you hear my people sing with all of their heart, they have something to teach the rest of the world about who God is.”  -Aisea Taimani Links: Ad for Epic Will:  EpicWill.com [use promo code BTB20 for 20% off] Ad for Charity Water: CharityWater.org/Bridge Aisea Taimani:   instagram.com/aiseataimani/ facebook.com/weareminorislands minorislands.bandcamp.com/ youtube.com/channel/UCV5Nrik1Yz-rMj6RILmaD5w Aisea Taimani + Minor Island’s song Take A Stand: youtube.com/watch?v=cYGPkcUTwJA Sandra Van Opstal’s book The Next Worship: sandravanopstal.com/the-next-worship/ Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison

If you want to see hope in action, just take a look at our youth! Here at Be the Bridge, we are passionate about equipping and empowering students to step forward in the work of racial healing, racial equity, and racial unity right where they are. For this episode of the podcast, Patricia Taylor, Be the Bridge’s Director of Programs, talks with Kaylee Morgan, Be the Bridge’s Youth & University Program Manager, and two students, Sydney Middleton and Regan Murray, to discuss our youth guide and their involvement in a group. They share the ways they are learning and growing as individuals and as students in a trusted community. They are leading the way in this work, are having brave conversations, and are reminding us to never underestimate the power of small steps along the journey and small conversations in daily life. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We're here to equip the next generation to continue to do the work and empower them to empower those that follow right after them.” -Kaylee Morgan “We do this work for the betterment of us all.” -Patricia Taylor “You can't educate others without really educating yourself.” -Sydney Middleton “You never know how a small conversation could change someone's whole perspective on an issue.” -Regan Murray “I really do believe this next generation is going to see some monumental things when it comes to justice work in the justice movement and justice actually being served.” -Kaylee Morgan Links: Ad for Epic Will:  EpicWill.com [use promo code BTB20 for 20% off] Become a Be the Bridge Partner: BeTheBridge.com/giveShop the Be the Bridge Store: Shop.BeTheBridge.com Be the Bridge Youth:   BTByouth.com   instagram.com/btbyouth   twitter.com/btbyouth   tiktok.com/@bethebridge_ Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com  facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/ Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison

This conversation between Latasha Morrison and Durwood Snead shines light on a restorative work being done in one local community. It highlights a beginning concept of how to make amends, a beginning work of making a wrong right, and a beginning of undoing harm. They talk about the horrific history of Forsyth County, Georgia and the important work of The Forsyth Scholarship. This conversation is a hopeful reminder that active reparations are happening locally and that there is a role for everyone in the process. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “A part of that restoration and reproduction work is leveraging your position, leveraging your privilege, leveraging your God given gifts to do something about the systemic issues that we are facing as it relates to racial injustice in our country.” -Latasha Morrison “We know this is not justice, this is not making things right. But we just feel like it's better to do something than to do nothing. And it's simply an act of love that is for a few people that we wish we could do for more.” -Durwood Snead “If you live in a predominantly white area historically, there's a reason why it's like that, especially in the south.” -Latasha Morrison “When we're not overshadowing this with all of our partisanship, and we're not overshadowing this with a lot of cultural things that's happening, and if we're looking at this as a biblical concept, we understand that this is right.” -Latasha Morrison “The truth sets everybody free. We don't need to hide anything. We just need to lay it out there.” -Durwood Snead “Until we go back and pull back the covers on some of this history, we don't understand the context.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ad for Epic Will:  EpicWill.com [use promo code BTB20 for 20% off] Become a Be the Bridge partner: BeTheBridge.com/giveShop the Be the Bridge store: Shop.BeTheBridge.com The Forsyth Scholarship: forsythscholarship.org Blood at the Root by Patrick Phillips: patrickphillipsbooks.com Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilderLatasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

Celebrate Black girl magic with this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast! Author, bridge builder, and speaker, Dorena Williamson joins host Latasha Morrison to talk about her latest children’s book, Crowned with Glory. Listen in to their conversation about the beauty of Black hair and the joy of Black culture. They dive into the need for representation in literature and in publishing, as well as sharing encouragement to be faithful in bridge building work. Let this episode remind you that words matter, diverse representation matters, and good stories matter for the hearts of both children and adults. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser  Quotes: "The Creator crowned me with melanated glory, and every day I get to live out my beautiful story." -Crowned with Glory, Dorena Williamson“As a parent, you go through that journey of wanting to teach your children that they are beautiful and worthy of honor the way they are, that they don't need to compare themselves to their white counterparts, or of another race, but that their beauty is beautiful.” -Dorena Williamson“We don't need to go backwards, we need to go forward. And we're getting more diverse, we're not getting more homogenous.” -Latasha Morrison“I believe that we are all image bearers of God. And I believe then, that we should foundationally be teaching that to our children.” -Dorena Williamson“And even if you live in a community that is more homogenous, you still can represent the world in your literature. You can bring the world to your kids through literature.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ad for Epic Will:  EpicWill.com [use promo code BTB20 for 20% off] Ad for BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/BetheBridge [10% off your first month] Dorena Williamson:  dorenawilliamson.com/   facebook.com/dorenawill/   twitter.com/dorenawill   instagram.com/dorenawilliamson/ Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: latashamorrison.com/ facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison

If you need to hear the story of a miracle to encourage your faith and to persevere in the work of justice, listen to this interview with Pastor Michael Phillips as he shares his incredible journey of escaping the school-to-prison pipeline. He and Be the Bridge founder and podcast host Latasha Morrison discuss the reality and injustice of the school-to-prison pipeline, the brokenness of our legal system, and the history of our public education system. They dive into the roots of these systems and the way to work toward restorative justice for all. Be empowered to be part of the solution by this thought-provoking conversation. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “We often penalize people for what they do at the expense of who they are.” -Michael Phillips “We see what people do without understanding why. And we judge the what without any information of why.” -Michael Phillips “It's hard to become what you never see. But it's very easy to become what you're always exposed to.” -Michael Phillips “2.3 million people are incarcerated in the U.S. And 74% of them that are held in jail, are not convicted of a crime yet.” -Michael Phillips “What the pandemic uncovered was the pre-pandemic inequities that always existed.” -Michael Phillips “For somebody to win doesn't mean you have to lose.” -Michael Phillips “People don't really understand what restoration and reconciliation is. And if anyone should understand it's the people of God, it's the people of faith.” -Latasha Morrison Links: Ad for Athletic Greens: AthleticGreens.com/BTB [Free One Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs]Ad for Epic Will:  EpicWill.com [use promo code BTB20 for 20% off] Ad for The Snack Show with Jami Fallon podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-snack-show-with-jami-fallon/id1607547747r Pastor Michael Phillips: michaelphillips.info/   instagram.com/mikephillipsofficial/   facebook.com/MikePhillipsOfficial   twitter.com/OfficialMP74Michael Phillips’ article The Spirit of Justice: churchgrowthmagazine.com/the-spirit-of-justice/ Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder

In this hope-filled conversation, Latasha Morrison and Benjamin Wills focus on what it looks like for students, families, and communities to flourish. As the Founder and Head of School for Peace Preparatory Academy, Benjamin speaks to the reasons why our education system is failing and the importance of being informed by the community you’re serving. They discuss how economics, housing, and historical context play a role in a student’s education. This episode is an invitation into a better way for education in America, one that is holistic, restorative, and human-centered. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “To have clear vision, you have to understand the past, you have to be rooted in the present, and you have to have a vision for the future.” -Benjamin Wills “Education is about creating a community where you feel safe to explore your core identity, and then where you can be launched into the world with the tools to live that out.” -Benjamin Wills “Gentrification without justice leading it is oppression.” -Latasha Morrison “There is a real connection to the tangible lived experience someone has and their ability to walk with Jesus in a spiritual way.”  -Benjamin Wills “If the systems we know have inherent kind of racism built into them, then we have to build something new. That's effectively antiracist work.” -Benjamin Wills Links: Ad for Athletic Greens: AthleticGreens.com/BTB [Free One Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs] Ad for A Spoonful of Faith: spoonfuloffaith.com/a-spoonful-of-faith-childrens-book Benjamin Wills:  twitter.com/willsbenjamin Peace Prep Academy: peaceprep.com instagram.com/peaceprepacademy facebook.com/PeacePreparatoryAcademy twitter.com/peaceprep Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison   instagram.com/latashamorrison/   twitter.com/LatashaMorrison

Scholar, leader, professor, and pastor Dr. Will Gravely joins Latasha Morrison on this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast for a conversion that dives deep into church history, multi-ethnic churches, and the way forward for the American church. They discuss the history, theology, and necessity of the Black church. As a pastor of a cross-cultural and community-driven church himself, Dr. Gravely speaks to how to support fellow pastors in similar spaces and how to support pastors of color in predominantly white spaces. Their discussion offers insight and knowledge, solidarity and hope in this current cultural context and on this racial righteousness journey. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “Black Christianity was not a product of slavery. The Black church was framed during the time of enslavement, but the Black church in and of itself was birthed in the time of Christ.” - Dr. Will Gravely “Just by a casual exposure to church history, you'd understand how critical the Black church has been all the way from the time of Jesus up until now.” - Dr. Will Gravely “The root and foundation of all Christian theology was in North Africa shortly after Jesus ascended.” - Dr. Will Gravely “The Black church has a wealth of not only history of struggle and triumph but also theology.” -Dr. Will Gravely “The Black church was born by necessity, not narcissism. The Black church was identified as Black because we were not allowed to worship the same God with white people. And so the Black church had to take on a faith life of its own, not being allowed to worship in the same spaces as whites. And so that's why I think just studying that history is critical.” -Dr. Will Gravely “My prayer is that we would just be better neighbors to one another and not seek to tear each other down. Even when we make mistakes.”             - Latasha Morrison Links: Ad for BetterHelp:  BetterHelp.com/BetheBridge [get 10% off your first month] Ad for Athletic Greens: AthleticGreens.com/BTB [Free One Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs] Ad for A Spoonful of Faith: spoonfuloffaith.com/a-spoonful-of-faith-childrens-book That Sounds Fun Network listener survey: thatsoundsfunnetwork.com/ instagram.com/tsfnetwork/ Dr. Will Gravely:  instagram.com/dr.willgravely refugecommunitychurchatl.com/ instagram.com/refuge_community Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/ instagram.com/bethebridge/ twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison instagram.com/latashamorrison/ twitter.com/LatashaMorrison Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

On this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, founder and host Latasha Morrison is joined by Tiffany Henness and Gina Fimbel to discuss adoption. They talk about the importance of centering adoptee voices and of learning from adoptee’s experiences. This needed conversation deals with the ways our society has gotten things wrong with adoption and the ways to grow and do better. Listen in and lean in so we can build bridges and create safer and healthier spaces for adoptees. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “And we think it's important that we empower those where this is their lived experience to do most of the talking. And so we do not want to silence those voices, because they are not voiceless. They’re just unheard.” -Latasha Morrison “We have to make sure that we're looking through the correct lens, and we're not doing more harm in our effort to do good.”  -Latasha Morrison “ And I understand that as a leader, we cannot be an expert in everything.” -Latasha Morrison “I think my experience has been the people I feel the most comfortable with just sharing of myself and talking freely about my experiences are other transracial adoptees. And so I think it's very, very important that transracial adoptive people have healthy spaces where we can connect, where we can be open and honest.” -Tiffany Henness “When I'm with other transracial adoptees, that's where I have felt the most freedom to be me.” -Tiffany Henness “We do see ourselves and have organized ourselves as a marginalized community.” -Tiffany Henness “A lot of the bridge building conversations that I've tried to have with other adoptive parents is really just letting them know that they have to do the work.” -Gina Fimbel “When you listen well, it will change your life.” -Gina Fimbel Links: Ad for BetterHelp:  BetterHelp.com/BetheBridge [get 10% off your first month] Be the Bridge TRA Resources: bethebridge.com/transracial-adoption/Be the Bridge Blog of Resources for Transracially Adopted People of Color:  bethebridge.com/resources-for-transracially-adopted-people-of-color/ Be the Bridge Panel Discussions: Colin in Black and White:  bethebridge.com/colin-panels/ Gina Fimbel:   instagram.com/ginafimbel Tiffany Henness:     instagram.com/coachhenness Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com   facebook.com/beabridgebuilder/   instagram.com/bethebridge/   twitter.com/BAbridgebuilder Latasha Morrison: facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison  instagram.com/latashamorrison/  twitter.com/LatashaMorrison

Why do politics matter? Why should Christians be engaged in politics? Is social justice compatible with the gospel? Pastor Eugene Cho joins Be the Bridge founder and podcast host Latasha Morrison on this episode to discuss these questions and more. He brings wise insight into faithful living in this time. You’ll be pastored and encouraged by the words and work of Pastor Cho. He and Latasha remind us that even now Jesus is moving and working. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “There are mornings and days I just go, ‘Lord, what is going on? And how do I serve you and be faithful? How do I be a bridge builder in DC during these very challenging times?’” -Eugene Cho “This is why we have a podcast like this to kind of remind people and to nudge people and to help people realign with some of the most important things. We can get caught up in all the partisanship arguments throughout this pandemic but miss what God is trying to show us or what God is trying to do through us in the midst of that.” -Latasha Morrison “The reality is, the person who tries to do everything will do nothing well. We're not built to do everything. We just don't have the energy, the capacity, and I think our impact will be really minimal.” -Eugene Cho ‘There's just so much going on around us. And so sometimes you got to breathe, you got to really absorb the gifts of Sabbath and listening and meditating. And then ask God, "Lord, help me to keep on being present, being persistent, being prayerful, being pastoral, being prophetic. And do it all for your glory." -Eugene Cho “Here's the most simple reason why I believe politics matter:  politics influences policies that ultimately impact people.” -Eugene Cho Eugene Cho  eugenecho.com/ facebook.com/eugenecho instagram.com/eugenecho bread.org/ Dadville:   thatsoundsfunnetwork.com/dadville Thank you to our sponsor! BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling Go to http://betterhelp.com/BeTheBridge Be The Bridge podcast listeners get  10% off. LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization.

This episode brings together Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison with Pastor, Author, and thought leader Rich Villodas. Rich is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship Church, which happens to be a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, New York.  In this episode, the conversations will center around the topic of Racial Reconciliation through the lens of Diversity. As our country grows more diverse it has become a reflection of the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community groups that we call churches. Latasha’s discussion with Rich will guide us through what true diversity looks like in The Body of Christ, and the intersectionality of Christianity and race here in the American Church. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser “It’s often White people who have written about spiritual formations…” - Rich Villodas “...the church is to be more than a sanctified subway car we are the new family of God...” - Rich Villodas “...with all of that diversity, I’ve learned that the Gospel is for all people, that’s the first thing I’ve learned in preaching in this setting…” - Rich Villodas “There is no one normative expression of worship, bring who you are.” - Rich Villodas Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling Go to https://www.betterhelp.com/ Be The Bridge podcast listeners get  10% off. LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this fun holiday episode, Founder and Podcast host Latasha Morrison chats with her friend and Be the Bridge’s Director of Programs, Patricia Taylor, about all things Hallmark! They discuss the progress Hallmark has made over the years in their movies regarding diversity and representation in all forms. (Be prepared for a few spoilers!) Tasha and Patricia even dream up their own Hallmark movie. And then we go from movies to music when Tasha chats with friend and Be the Bridge podcast producer and editor, Travon Potts. They dive into some of the work Travon has done and the important role music plays in film and in our lives. It is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “It’s like that spirit that we say we want all year round where people are kind to each other and love each other. And you know it's gonna be a nice ending. Like there's nothing wrong with having that comfort, you know?” -Patricia Taylor “When I watch TV I want to escape. So I don't want the same trauma that's happening in the world on my TV, especially Christmas movies.” - Latasha Morrison “The kitchen is really sacred in our community.” -Latasha Morrison “When you can identify with something off-screen when you're watching the movie, it just makes you feel seen.” - Latasha Morrison “Us as Black folks, we want to feel our music.” - Travon Potts “Just with the sound of the music, I feel the yams and the collard greens and the macaroni and cheese!” -Travon Potts Links: Become a financial partner with Be the Bridge here: bethebridge.com/give/ Shop the Be the Bridge store here: shop.bethebridge.com/ Patricia Taylor:  instagram.com/patricia_a_taylor Travon Potts: travonpotts.com  instagram.com/travonpotts  ientstudiosatl.com LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this fun holiday episode, Founder and Podcast host Latasha Morrison chats with her friend and Be the Bridge’s Director of Programs, Patricia Taylor, about all things Hallmark! They discuss the progress Hallmark has made over the years in their movies regarding diversity and representation in all forms. (Be prepared for a few spoilers!) Tasha and Patricia even dream up their own Hallmark movie. And then we go from movies to music when Tasha chats with friend and Be the Bridge podcast producer and editor, Travon Potts. They dive into some of the work Travon has done and the important role music plays in film and in our lives. It is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “It’s like that spirit that we say we want all year round where people are kind to each other and love each other. And you know it's gonna be a nice ending. Like there's nothing wrong with having that comfort, you know?” -Patricia Taylor “When I watch TV I want to escape. So I don't want the same trauma that's happening in the world on my TV, especially Christmas movies.” - Latasha Morrison “The kitchen is really sacred in our community.” -Latasha Morrison “When you can identify with something off-screen when you're watching the movie, it just makes you feel seen.” - Latasha Morrison “Us as Black folks, we want to feel our music.” - Travon Potts “Just with the sound of the music, I feel the yams and the collard greens and the macaroni and cheese!” -Travon Potts Links: Become a financial partner with Be the Bridge here: bethebridge.com/give/ Shop the Be the Bridge store here: shop.bethebridge.com/ Patricia Taylor:  instagram.com/patricia_a_taylor Travon Potts: travonpotts.com  instagram.com/travonpotts  ientstudiosatl.com LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

This episode brings together Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison and bestselling author, evangelist, and Bible teacher Beth Moore as they talk about racial reconciliation in the Christian faith. Beth details her own experiences speaking against injustice, dealing with the backlash, and waking up to her responsibilities as a faith leader. She also gives some insight into how Christians can become bold reconcilers who move beyond a head knowledge of Christ into heart knowledge and action. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “The point of Bible study is to actually love Jesus and not just get a head full of knowledge. So there's got to be a collision there of heart and mind, or it doesn't mean anything.” -Beth Moore “We read the Bible through our cultural lens.” -Latasha Morrison “There was not a single time that I've been really outspoken that I would have told you that I was going back on whether or not I should say it. It would have been that I could not have kept from it. And if that's the case, then I can be at peace there.” -Beth Moore “Politics has not been my big thing. My big thing is the Church. But when it comes to Church, then I'm going to start reacting.” -Beth Moore “This Jesus thing is life to me….my bread and my meat and my drink is that I am praying so hard to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Because he has that capacity for compassion as well as just being able to spit out what is true. And one of the things that I'm always asking him for, whether it's in this exact wording or not, is that the fire on my tongue would not exceed the fire in my heart.” -Beth Moore “Our mouth cannot overshoot our heart or our duplicity is going to be exposed.” -Beth Moore LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling Go to https://www.betterhelp.com/ Be The Bridge podcast listeners get  10% off. Simply Earth: Make Your Home Toxin Free with Essential Oils Discover essential oil recipes you know will work at https://simplyearth.com/ Get a Free 80ml Diffuser when you use https://bethebridge.com/ Thistle Farms: You can learn more about Thistle Farms - their mission and their products - at ThistleFarms.org. They have created a special code bethebridge that will give you 15% off.

This episode brings together Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison with two scholars, Dr. Christina Edmondson Ph.D., and Doctoral candidate Jemar Tisby. Both are thought leaders in the push for racial equity in ecclesiastical spaces. In this episode, the conversations will center around the topic of CRT which is short for Critical Race Theory. We strive, as a podcast, to give you, our listeners and supporters, foundational tools to help you develop a clear historical and biblical perspective as it relates to race. LaTasha’s discussions with Christina and Jemar guide us through critiques of inequities and misrepresentations found anywhere, even in academia, that create racial disharmony. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling Go to https://www.betterhelp.com/ Be The Bridge podcast listeners get  10% off. Simply Earth: Make Your Home Toxin Free with Essential Oils Discover essential oil recipes you know will work at https://simplyearth.com/ Get a Free 80ml Diffuser when you use https://bethebridge.com/ Thistle Farms: You can learn more about Thistle Farms - their mission and their products - at ThistleFarms.org. They have created a special code bethebridge that will give you 15% off.

This is a throwback to when Latasha Morrison and Jennie Allen talked about the beginning of their friendship journey. To learn more about how the bridge started, purchase the Be the Bridge Book. Be the Bridge Book You can find a full transcript of this episode on our website: Be The Bridge Blog LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6 ... Thank you to our sponsors! Thistle Farms: You can learn more about Thistle Farms - their mission and their products - at ThistleFarms.org. They have created a special code bethebridge that will give you 15% off.

You do not want to miss this episode with Dominique DuBois Gilliard! Dominique explains why the church must be at the forefront of conversations in our culture surrounding systemic sin. This conversation dives deep into the biblical lens in which to view systemic racism and patriarchy, reparations and trauma. And it provides helpful descriptions of confession and repentance. This episode will spur you on in your discipleship journey as well as your bridge-building journey. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “One of the things I think we can never lose sight of is the fact that we're doing this work on the ground, and we're also engaging in spiritual warfare, too.” -Dominique “I think this is a moment. And I think for bridge builders, the thing that we have to recognize is that it's also an opportunity.” -Dominique “Scripture is clear, privilege is real and it exists. And it addresses it multiple times throughout the biblical text. But scripture is also clear that we are always going to be tempted to exploit privilege for our selfish gain as opposed to taking Philippians two type mindset and really looking at privilege as something that we could steward and leverage to expand the kingdom and sacrificially love our neighbors.” -Dominique “What happened as a consequence of the church's silence and lack of integrity is that folks outside the church picked up these conversations that we should have been having.” -Dominique Links: Dominique Gilliard  dominiquegilliard.com instagram.com/dominiquedgilliard facebook.com/DominiqueDGilliard twitter.com/DDGilliardAd for BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/BetheBridgeBe the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.comNot all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization. LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

You do not want to miss this episode with Dominique DuBois Gilliard! Dominique explains why the church must be at the forefront of conversations in our culture surrounding systemic sin. This conversation dives deep into the biblical lens in which to view systemic racism and patriarchy, reparations and trauma. And it provides helpful descriptions of confession and repentance. This episode will spur you on in your discipleship journey as well as your bridge-building journey. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “One of the things I think we can never lose sight of is the fact that we're doing this work on the ground, and we're also engaging in spiritual warfare, too.” -Dominique “I think this is a moment. And I think for bridge builders, the thing that we have to recognize is that it's also an opportunity.” -Dominique “Scripture is clear, privilege is real and it exists. And it addresses it multiple times throughout the biblical text. But scripture is also clear that we are always going to be tempted to exploit privilege for our selfish gain as opposed to taking Philippians two type mindset and really looking at privilege as something that we could steward and leverage to expand the kingdom and sacrificially love our neighbors.” -Dominique “What happened as a consequence of the church's silence and lack of integrity is that folks outside the church picked up these conversations that we should have been having.” -Dominique Links: Dominique Gilliard  dominiquegilliard.com  instagram.com/dominiquedgilliard   facebook.com/DominiqueDGilliard   twitter.com/DDGilliard Ad for BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com/BetheBridge Be the Bridge:  BeTheBridge.com Not all views expressed in this interview reflect the values and beliefs of Latasha Morrison or the Be the Bridge organization. LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

Megan B. Brown joins Latasha Morrison on this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast. Megan’s unique perspective as a woman of color, military spouse, and Bible study leader allows for a vulnerable conversation about important topics. Megan shares her journey of embracing her ethnic identity as well as the importance of reading Scripture with the historical context. They discuss her Bible study, Summoned, about Esther, and how she offers a different take on an often misunderstood book. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “There's all of this layered intensive work that needs to be done to reach women at the heart.” -Megan “We wanted to pass that torch to the next generation of understanding properly who our Father in Heaven is and what that implies about who we are and how we should treat one another.” -Megan “Your ethnic identity is something that God has given you. And when we try to become colorblind about that or when we try to ignore that we do a disservice to a part of God's creation.” -Tasha “I wanted to diminish the things that were different about me….I wanted to blend because my separateness or my differentness was such a point of pain. People were mean.” -Megan “And I just remember always feeling like I had one foot in each space, but I was welcome in neither.”  -Megan “I'm always painfully aware of my differences on the outside before I'm aware of anything else when I'm around new people.” -Megan LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

In this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast, Dr. Eric Mason joins Latasha for a deep conversation surrounding deconstruction, biblical literacy, and racial reconciliation. This episode is full of biblical wisdom and cultural insight. Dr. Mason also gives great recommendations for resources you will want to get and listen to. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “The Gospel restores all people's dignity. It makes us fully in the image of God through being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.” -Dr. Mason "In the era of misinformation, in the era of information memes and urban legends, biblical literacy is a must. We cannot assume that people understand the faith." -Dr. Mason “Urban Apologetics is not just for Black people. This is for Christians. These are books that our white brothers and sisters should be getting and teaching from also.” -Tasha “The devil always over promises and under delivers.” -Dr. Mason “So if repetition exegetically is a sign of biblical emphasis, then we need to emphasize what God emphasizes. And if Jesus pulls justice as a hermeneutical lens to use in interpreting the Bible, we should.” -Dr. Mason “Justice is a reflection of God's character.” -Dr. Mason “You can't be a Christian and not deal with justice. It's unchristian to ignore justice.” -Dr. Mason “Can you imagine having to answer to Jesus that you left a church because the pastor was calling you to value a person because they weren't treated justly?” -Dr. Mason “You will know racial reconciliation is happening in your church when white people can submit to Black people.” -Dr. Mason “I think that it's very important that there be a racial IQ growth in the body of Christ.” -Dr. Mason Links: Dr. Eric Mason: https://www.pastoremase.com/ Epiphany Fellowship: https://www.epiphanyfellowship.org/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC76WVwO_8jULaF3i0oVJF0g Lands of the Bible Cruise 2022 with Dr. Eric Mason, Dr. Bryan Loritts, Pastor Albert Tate, and Lecrae: http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/pf22101622c58465#eotours LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

The Be the Bridge Facebook Ministry group was formed in 2020 and is a place for those in leadership in the church to lean into the conversation of racial righteousness. It provides a courageous space for learning, growing, and helping the Church lead in a proactive way. In this episode, founder of Be the Bridge, Latasha Morrison, is joined with the leader of the ministry group, Mariah Humphries, as well as two of the members of it, Brian Kilde and Annie Banceu, to share their experience in the group. This podcast episode reveals their journey of what pushed them into bridge building work and why they continue in it when pushback comes. It will encourage you to know you’re not alone in this important work. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “Ultimately, one of the reasons for starting Be the Bridge was because I really wanted to see the Church, the body of Christ, be more of a credible witness in this conversation.” -Tasha “Sometimes people don't know, because they don't have the information. But when they're provided the information, they do better.” -Tasha “I've got a heart for the American church. And for me to have a desire for the American church to change, I need to be able to also have a heart for those who are leading the American church.” -Mariah “This work starts with humility.” -Tasha “At Be the Bridge, we're not trying to convince people of stuff. We want you to come already convinced and ready to do the work and ready to replicate and reproduce the work.” -Tasha “It is a place to make mistakes, it is a place for us to be educated and trained and discipled and relearn.” -Brian “Racism is a place of spiritual formation just as much as every other area of life, and is a sin that needs to be called out, confessed in humility, and repented from, and repaired.” -Brian “People of color, leaders of color, pastors of color, help me see fuller God's glory in imago dei.” -Annie “It's my heart and my passion for the Church to take on a rightful place in this conversation and not be reactive but be proactive, because this is such gospel work.” -Mariah Links: LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

Ellie Holcomb is a singer-songwriter and author based in Nashville, TN who joins Latasha Morrison on this episode to discuss her personal journey toward racial righteousness. She shares how she started a Be the Bridge group, how this bridge-building work has impacted her life and a recent trip she took to the Grand Canyon, and about her new song called “Bridge.” Listen in and hear about the growth that can happen from listening and beauty that can come from curiosity. Be encouraged with this conversation of the power of diverse authentic community in being light and hope in this world. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “There's a current of God's love that runs deeper than our deepest ache and sorrow. And that will carry us when it feels like we can't carry on any longer.” -Ellie “Because I think it's so easy to stay safe and comfortable with what we're familiar with. And I think actually, we're missing out when we do. And that's where I started realizing I'm like, oh my goodness. This has been my loss from not intentionally listening to my Black and Brown brothers and sisters.” -Ellie “If you actually really start listening to the people in your life who are Black and Brown, who have had different experiences than you, you will grieve. You will grieve. If you start researching history, there will be and there should be grief.” -Ellie But the beauty for me has become that my understanding, as we've walked through this book, as we've listened, acknowledged the truth, repented, lamented, and then started this work of rebuilding, the gospel has become wider and higher and deeper and more wonderful and more colorful, and more powerful than I ever imagined.” -Ellie Links:Land acknowledgment in reference to the conversation around the Grand Canyon: 'Guardians Of The Grand Canyon': The Havasupai Tribe's Long Connection To The Canyon's Red Rockshttps://unitedstreettours.com/https://www.anniefdowns.com/podcast/episode-223-mike-kelsey/http://www.thenewrespects.com/https://cornertocorner.org/https://eji.org/https://ellieholcomb.lnk.to/canyon (edited) LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

Jamie Ivey is an author and speaker, talk show host, and the popular podcast host of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey. She joins Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison for a great conversation where they discuss the difference between empathy and sympathy, share wisdom in parenting, and give encouragement for the times you get pushback in this bridge building work. Jamie also opens up about her Native heritage. This conversation will be helpful and hopeful. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “One of the things that has really been important for me is to think through what voices can I elevate because of the people who are listening to me?” - Jamie “My brain and my eyes and my heart have been opened wider than I ever imagined they could have been. And that's taken work. And I’ve taken heat for it in some ways.” -Jamie “Empathy is the difference of sitting in it with someone. Sympathy is when I'm a bystander but I'm not sitting in it with you.” -Tasha “It's not my children's responsibility to open my eyes up to racial injustice in our country.” -Jamie “If you're raising a Black child and you're white, their experience in life is going to be 100% different than yours. And you want your child to feel like they can tell you and that you are an advocate for them.” -Jamie “I love to tell people, it's not always what people do in front, but it's also what they're doing behind the curtain.” -Tasha “This work is spiritual work. This is discipleship. This is spiritual formation that we're going through.” -Tasha“You have to be teachable. And if you're not teachable, that is exhausting to a person of color.” -Tasha “This is not my work. This is God's work. And that's what sustains me.” -Tasha “I started Be the Bridge because of the local church. So I want to see the Church whole and well. And when we get it, the world gets it.” -Tasha “I hold on to my ancestors before me that hoped for a better future.” -Tasha “Like our ethnicity, our culture comes from God. And it's expansive. Look at all the people and languages that God has created. And so when that is stolen from us, or when that is withheld from us, there's disruption that happens in God's original design. And so it's about the reordering of things, reconciliation. Justice is about the reordering of things.” -Tasha “I wish that people would enter into spaces and conversations with people and trust that their feelings are real.” - Jamie “I think the hope is we see glimpses of change...And if there were so many stories of change, there's hope for everyone to also change as well.” -Jamie “Broken systems create broken language.” -Tasha LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

Pastor Stephanie Williams O’Brien joins Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison on the podcast for a conversation surrounding the injustices the community of Minneapolis has endured, the lifelong commitment to racial justice, submitting to the leadership of people of color, and her new book Make a Move all about the practical advice she gives for making decisions and acting in faith. And she speaks words of encouragement for both leaders of color and white leaders. Pastor Stephanie will help you get unstuck in your personal life and your spiritual life, your life in community, and your life of bridge-building. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes:“It's an intentional choice to seek out and welcome the authority of leaders in your life.” -Stephanie “This is not about a moment, but it's about a lifestyle. This is not about a short-term commitment. This is about conviction.” -Latasha “Maybe instead of praying that our church becomes more diverse, let's pray that we're people that would actually be safe for folks to come in.” -Stephanie “So read the books, watch the things, but experiment in behaviors that change and shape us, because I think we can behave our way into new thinking. And we can also think our way into new behaviors.” -Stephanie “How are we not willing to hold space for a discussion before we have already judged it?” -Stephanie “If we can just say, ‘God, I want to be on your heels, what are you doing? And how can I respond?’ If that was our orientation every day, that's where we're going to figure out how we can leverage privilege and be people who bring hope and help and who learn.” -Stephanie “My prayer is for people not to make the same historical mistakes.” -Latasha LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, founder Latasha Morrison is joined by Stephen Satterfield, host of the critically acclaimed Netflix docuseries “High on the Hog.” Since 2007, Stephen Satterfield has spent his career redefining food and beverage as a means of organizing, activating, and educating, and is among the most prominent and respected voices in U.S. food media. Latasha and Stephen talk about the stories behind the making of the hit show, the significance of land theft in the truthful telling of American history, and the complicated yet beautiful relationship between Black Americans and food.  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “If you follow the migration of food, you’re really talking about the migration also of people, of plants, of animals, of information.” - Stephen Satterfield “Feeling like you have space in the world is a powerful thing.” - Stephen Satterfield “So when I talk about the need for us to have pride in where we come from, it’s an act of love, but it’s also an act of taking back power.” - Stephen Satterfield “People are holding these stories and it is our job to go find them and tell them and write about them.” - Latasha Morrison “Our relationship to food, our relationship to this country, the relationship between Black people and white people foundationally is a relationship of exploitation of subjugation and racism. That’s a lot to overcome.” - Stephen Satterfield “We have to understand how this all works together. And what is the end result? A wealth gap and a wealth disparity that is land-based, that is now bigger than it was even during the period of reconstruction. So we’ve gone backwards.” - Stephen Satterfield “In the ways in which racism is systemic, repair needs to be systemic.” - Stephen Satterfield LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge Be The Bridge  Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

After playing nine years in the NFL, Sam Acho is a writer, motivational speaker, and humanitarian. He joins Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison on the podcast to share his story. They discuss his Nigerian roots, his passion for justice work, his journey with counseling, and more. Sam offers encouragement and hope with his authenticity and vulnerability. And he dives into the heart behind his must-read book, Let the World See You. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “This thread of justice began in the womb, but then it's going to follow me to the tomb.” - Sam Acho “When communities have hope, that fuels change and transformation.” -Tasha “Micah 6:8 says that we should seek justice, that we should love mercy, that we should walk humbly with God. And so it's also our job to seek justice, in unison with others and in unison with God.” -Sam Acho “Seeking justice isn't something that you do in a vacuum. It's not something that you do alone.” -Sam Acho  “Prayer is the key.” -Sam Acho “You don't have to be a doctor or a nurse. You don't have to have a book. You don't have to have a podcast. You don't have to have a follower. You have to have a heart. You have to bring what you have.” -Sam Acho “Change starts with you. And it starts with those things that break your heart, those things that just don't feel right and then doing something about it.“If you're breathing, you can do something.” -Tasha “I found myself trying to carry all this weight of being who everyone else wanted me to be. And that weight was heavy. It was a lot to carry. And I did not even realize that I was carrying it.” -Sam Acho “When you're you, God gets the glory, the people around you benefit, and the world around you thrives. When you pretend, none of that happens.” -Sam Acho“I think the main question that needs to be asked is: What can I do? Period.” -Sam Acho LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this special bonus episode that you will not want to miss, Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison talks with Dr. Claudia May. Along with being a professor and the Director of the Reconciliation Studies Program at Bethel University, Dr. May is a poet, scholar, and award-winning children's book author. She joins Latasha in this episode to discuss Juneteenth. They dive into the history, the beauty, the complexities around the important day. The depth of this conversation will bring enlightenment, healing, and hope. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “And what the spirituals remind us is that these were composers, creators, theologians, critical thinkers who did their exegesis, did their hermeneutics through the spirituals.” -Dr. Claudia May “We need to acknowledge pain and injustice, and we address that. But we also need to embrace the truth that Black people are contributors.” -Dr. Claudia May “We need a variety of stories speaking about a variety of experiences that show us that Black people are not monolithic. We're complex human beings and multilayered. We need to see that.” -Dr. Claudia May “Some of the principles for me of Juneteenth: acknowledging the injustices that we have confronted and ignored and lived through, to learn about and celebrate the histories and contributions of Black people, and applaud our lives and gifts and achievements.” -Dr. Claudia May “I often say to my students, y'all need to travel, especially my Black students. Y'all to travel to see the impact we're having on world culture. Juneteenth acknowledges those kinds of contributions.” -Dr. Claudia May “Our artistic expressions give multiple people's ways to access what their truth means to them.” -Dr. Claudia May“That we continue to learn from our ancestors, which is what Juneteenth reminds us. That we are interconnected, and that those in the past can contribute to our present. We don't have to be confined to our ancestors. But our ancestors, the cloud of witnesses shaped us, they can inform how we engage with the injustices that we encounter.” -Dr. Claudia May LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Take a look inside the lives of two co-leaders of a Be the Bridge group in this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast hosted by founder Latasha Morrison. Latasha is joined by Andrea Middleton and Margo Yoder for an honest, revealing look into their experiences co-leading a Be the Bridge group. Together they bring us insight on the do’s and don’ts of leadership, how to stay engaged with members, the benefits of a community founded on common memory, and the rewarding triumphs that accompany sometimes disheartening setbacks as a leader.  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “The groups are the heartbeat of what we do.” - Latasha “And so this work doesn’t just stop with a conversation or start with a conversation, it continues on in how you live your life.” - Latasha “Leaders have to be learners.” - Latasha “If you have a willing heart and you’re open to learn, and you’re in constant learning—God will cover you. God will make up for where you are missing those pieces as a leader.“- Andrea “For the rest of my life, I will be undoing the first 40 years of my life where I grew up in a culture of not understanding the world around me.” - Margo “When we learn to just listen without adding in our own words and our own experiences, and just listen and believe the person who is speaking to us—I think that is a huge, huge marker of growth.” - Margo LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, our founder, Latasha Morrison, has a conversation with world-renowned and multi-platinum hip-hop artist, Lecrae. His wisdom resonates throughout the interview as he shares his story from navigating predominately white spaces to his thoughts on church culture. They discuss his amazing philanthropic endeavors and his personal battles with mental health. And through it all, Lecrae shares how he still has joy and hope. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Sarah Connatser Quotes: “This music was the way I could hear stories I understood and I related. That's how I first began to fall in love with hip-hop.” -Lecrae“Over time I began to realize, to some people I was a novelty and it wasn't that they appreciated all of who I was and all of my story.” -Lecrae “For me, it's figuring out how to use what I have to serve other people.” -Lecrae “It’s that tension and that dance of trying to be loving and gracious, but at the same time, also saying, this is not okay. And so it's working through that tension. Because I never want to function as a hateful person. I always want to function as someone who's gracious and wants people to wrestle with nuance and ignorance. But there's a place to do that. And oftentimes it's not in front of the camera.” -Lecrae “You can't grow without tension.” -Lecrae “I connect with the Scriptures, I connect with God, I connect with my Savior. But the culture that's wrapped up in this I don't connect with.” -Lecrae “It was tough to reorient myself. It was tough to realign myself to depend on therapy and change my lifestyle to slow down. It was tough, but I really feel like it was the best thing that's happened to me because I'm a better person from it.” -Lecrae “In this season of life, I find a lot of joy in contentment. I find myself content in terms of my own ambitions so that I can be ambitious for other people.” -Lecrae “When the Trail of Tears was happening, during 400 years of slavery, during segregation, the tomb was empty. People held on to that reality then, and I can hold on to it today. The tomb is empty and I can keep pushing.” -Lecrae LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

This is Part 2 of our “Take It to the Bridge” series with founder Latasha Morrison! Latasha is back on the other side of the mic as guest host Tandria Potts guides us through an insightful discussion on current events where the church and culture collide. Latasha brings her own perspective on hope in dark times, what keeps her steady through constant racial trauma, and how Be the Bridge uses education to transform lives and build bridges across racial divides. Don’t forget to check out last week’s episode which is Part 1 of this two-part series. Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott  Quotes: “I still have hope for the church and for the body of Christ, the people of God.” - Latasha“When the world is telling us to dehumanize someone and to strip them of their dignity, Scripture is telling us to do the opposite of that! Even when it comes to our enemies.” - Latasha “We’re called to be loyal and faithful to the God we serve, not to the country that we live in. If I didn’t love this country, I wouldn’t be doing the things that I’m doing. I want America to be better—we can do better, we can be better. But also, on a deeper level, I love people. And I love God’s people. I love the people that God has created that inhabit this country.” - Latasha “When we say we are the body of Christ, the body is beyond the USA.” - Latasha“We cannot think that we’re the apple of God’s eye. Because what does that say about China? What does that say about Korea? What does that say about Mexico? What does that say about Brazil? Are they not children of God? Are they not created in the image of God? When patriotism leads you to dehumanize and to defame and to marginalize and to think of yourself as better, that drives that type of supremacy thinking.” - Latasha “We want to pull people into the community, and we pull people into the community through this process of education.” - Latasha“Without hope, I couldn’t do this work. I don’t want to sound like a cliché, but Jesus gives me hope. I do this because I know that it’s the right thing to do, and I feel like Jesus is leading me in doing this work. Because when darts come or when difficult seasons come, and when you do become hopeless, what is your anchor? Who is your anchor?” - Latasha “Even with this season that I’m in now—it’s darts, it’s disappointments, it’s surprises, it’s sadness, it’s sorrow, it’s grief. But looking to the author and finisher of our faith, that’s the thing that keeps me and that holds me and that comforts me ultimately.” - Latasha LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Founder Latasha Morrison is finally back on the podcast in the first episode of the “Take It to the Bridge” series, but this time she’s on the other side of the mic! Tandria Potts returns as guest host and talks with Latasha about grief, the impact of COVID on Black and brown communities, the difference between allies and accomplices, and how the church’s polarization is getting in the way of racial healing. This insightful conversation is Part 1 of 2 featuring Latasha, so don’t miss the second installment next time. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “A call-out is accountability, and I call you out because I love you. I think we have to lead with lovingkindness in the call-out, but praying towards conviction—because I don’t want you just to be called out and you make a change, or you do a post, and then everything goes back to normal.” - Latasha “This is a spiritual battle that we’re in, and I think we have to see it that way. And I hope that others begin to see it. We have to pray against this spiritual darkness. That’s the way—so I’m not vilifying people, so that I can have compassion to continue to do the work that I’m doing. I have to see it that way. My brothers and sisters are in darkness.” - Latasha “The church has ingested the same thing that the world has ingested. It’s not a separate system. This is part of the same unhealthy empire system.” - Latasha“There’s a big difference between an ally and an accomplice. An ally is in it when the going gets tough, but an accomplice says, “I’m going to take the front line, I’m going to be beside you. I’m going to be behind you, I’m going to support you.” I think that’s what’s needed in these times, where if I need to take a break, if I need a timeout, then there’s someone that’s rising to the challenge but not for notoriety.” - Latasha “These situations keep bringing up opportunities for us to have a deeper conversation, and I don’t think that’s happening. Because we have a very short-term memory when it comes to these incidents. We were just here last year with Ahmaud Arbery. And with George Floyd. And at the same time that the Chauvin trial is happening, you know, his trial is happening like 10 miles from where this incident with Daunte Wright happened.” - Latasha LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

If you use terminology like “colorblind” to show your racial and cultural compassion and understanding, this episode is tailored for you.   Many people outside of the BIPOC communities are lost as it relates to how to communicate and implement a culture of color and cultural caring and sensitivity in such volatile times.  This is the wheelhouse of the Be The Bridge training team.  This episode’s discussion is centered around cultivating and curating safe spaces for the purpose of building cohesion through anti-racism.  Once again the listener is given a glimpse behind the scenes of our training team’s process and execution as well as a look at the results with the organizations we’ve worked with.  Listen to this great conversation between our Ministry Educator, Mariah Humphries, Director of Training and Strategy Sean Watkins, and Board member and BTB Educator Gina Fimbel. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Travon Potts Quotes “...you know, a popular magazine, People Magazine, in the 25 years of having People magazine's Most beautiful cover, there has only been three black women who have been on the cover of people's most beautiful. - Gina Fimble “...a lot of times when I have these conversations with white people, there is this complete, unawareness dare I say ignorance, but not in the negative connotation, of their own culture. It is a ubiquitous, ‘how can we come together and be reconciled’, because they don't know their history, they don't know their own cultural context.”  - Sean Watkins “I think it's healthy to understand the system of whiteness that we have inherited, which is a system that was created to benefit people who look white or people who are white passing, you know, racial labels have been applied to non white groups for the purposes of stigmatizing them and exploiting them.” - Gina Fimble “...this is one of the challenges that I have with a number of my friends and colleagues that work in predominately white spaces, there's always an invitation of, ‘I really don't want to examine the past’....” - Sean Watkins LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Often, in the racial reconciliation space, progress and healing are brought about through small groups.  Another effective tool in the quest for progress in this area is training.  Many don’t know that corporations, non-profits, and ministries bring in our expert Be The Bridge Training Team to train their employees, volunteers, and parishioners on how to cultivate and curate safe environments for discussions on race and culture.  The purpose for cultivating and curating these spaces is for the purpose of building cohesion through anti-racism.  This episode gives a glimpse behind the scenes of our process and execution as well as a look at the results not only with the organizations we’ve worked with but in their surrounding communities.  Listen in to this awesome discourse between our Ministry Educator Mariah Humphries and Training Coordinator Tania Miron. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Travon Potts Quotes “And our goal is to develop those that are going through our training, from not just being in a workplace that is not racist, but being in a workplace that is actively being anti-racist, and moving towards racial healing and reconciliation.” - Tania Miron “I try to emphasize on all of the inquiry calls that I get, that we are not a one and done, it's all fixed by our trainings, kind of function. You know, our trainings function more as a diving board into this journey of being anti-racist…” - Tania Miron “...our trainings in the in the work of being anti racist do have an impact outside of companies and organizations that we've worked at.” - Tania Miron “...I think if the leadership is on board and advocating for having these conversations and trainings, then the staff will definitely be more willing to have these discussions and then our team can be able to be effective in delivering and opening up the space to have this conversation.” - Tania Miron LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this continuation of our “She’s the Bridge’' series, guest host Faitth Brooks talks with artist Morgan Harper Nichols about the intersection of Black womanhood, art, community, and passion. Morgan is a renowned digital artist, poet, new mom, and upcoming author! Listen as Morgan and Faitth dissect common stereotypes of Black women, explore what it’s like to have a hyper-visible platform, and give tips on building each other up even during a pandemic. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “Passion and righteous indignation are often misread as irrational anger, and are used to degenerate and disarm Black women who dare to challenge social inequalities and question the validity of circumstances—and get this—have the temerity to demand and expect fair treatment.” - Faitth Brooks “I don’t know how to fix this—how to fix the portrayals, how to fix how other people see me. But I am going to put me out there.” - Morgan Harper Nichols “I am only here because of the people who paved the way for me to be here today. I can’t talk about the future without talking about them—whether that’s people in my own ancestry or authors like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. Who am I without what they’ve already written and what they’ve already done? They paved the way.” - Morgan Harper Nichols “You have to dig to find people that look like us in these fields. They’re there, but again, they’re not pushed to the front as others are. So it’s a lot of work to even find your people. I wish I didn’t have to dig so much to find references. I wish I didn’t have to dig so much to find other Black people who’ve been in similar situations. I shouldn’t have to dig so much.” - Morgan Harper Nichols “Give yourself permission to start small.” - Morgan Harper Nichols “Will people in the world actually even be able to see me as an artist or is my Blackness all people see? I know a lot of other Black artists feel that way: did they only just pick me because they needed a Black artist? Or do they actually like my work too? But I have been so pleasantly surprised by people who are willing and able and have the capacity to hold me in terms of what I do and what I share, and not just divide it into categories.” - Morgan Harper Nichols “Black women literally feel the pressure to carry the weight of everything...to be the educator, to be the encourager, to be the old wise soul, to be young and hip, to be all these things, which is literally impossible. We cannot be all of that. But as we see, historically, that pressure has been put on us. So I have to give myself permission to say, ‘Hey, today, I’m going to be the artist who is speaking from a Black woman’s perspective about joy. I don’t always have to educate about joy.’” - Morgan Harper Nichols LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Often discussions on race in America are limited to a black and white binary.  Since the rise of the Covid-19 virus, hate crimes have been on the rise against the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community.  If you truly understand the heart and calling of the Be The Bridge organization then you understand that bridge-building doesn’t stop with two groups. Today’s guest Vivian Mabuni helps us unpack the tensions, opportunities, and solutions for bridge-building, especially as it relates to those in and outside of the AAPI family and or body politic. “...and in the same way, you and I, as women of color, we can't walk away from the conversation, because it is our lived experience day in and day out.” - Vivian Mabuni “ When leaders don't use proper terminology, like COVID, and instead use a term like Chinese virus or Kung Flu, that hurts my community.” -Vivian Mabuni “ I, of course, have felt silenced, you know, all along. And what's interesting is my culture, the foundation of a lot of Asian culture is based in Confucian teaching.” - Vivian Mabuni “ I am so grateful for the leadership of the black community in civil rights that have made way for injustices to be exposed, that Asian Americans AAPI, people can have a different life because we stand on the shoulders of the leadership of the black community.” - Vivian Mabuni LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

We’re back for a new season! In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, our Director of Programs and Innovation, Faitth Brooks, discusses the impacts of the pandemic with Debbie Stevens, a registered psychiatric nurse practitioner and close friend of our founder, Latasha Morrison, who lost her father to COVID-19 earlier this year. In this much-needed discussion, Faitth and Debbie acknowledge the legacy of medical racism in the U.S., talk about the hope they’ve had amidst the pandemic, and give listeners tips on loving others well through periods of grief. “Grief is just highly individualized. The way one person grieves is not necessarily the way that you may grieve.” –Debbie Stevens “It’s really easy to see what somebody else is going through, and then try to relate it back to something you’ve experienced. But the reality is, it’s a time for you to just sit and listen, lending a hand in whatever way possible, and being willing to serve.” –Faitth Brooks “Because of the legacy of the research and medical community really betraying the Black community—in terms of all the disgraceful things that the medical professional community has done to Black people and taken advantage of them—there’s a lot of distrust.” –Debbie Stevens “This is a time for us to think collectively and not individually about our wants, about what we desire, and to think about ‘How can I love my neighbor?’” –Faitth Brooks “I love my patients so I continue to show up for them, and they offer me hope because they haven’t given up. They continue to push forward, and even if they’re losing loved ones and family members, they continue to make their mental health a priority. So that offers me hope that I’m doing something that’s making a difference.” –Debbie Stevens LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Be the Bridge Podcast (Special Message) LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Our Be The Bridge Podcast team curated highlights from some of our most popular Be The Bridge Podcasts of 2020. These highlights will come from our founder and podcast host Latasha Morrison, as well as from various guests. Enjoy! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

Our Be The Bridge Podcast team curated highlights from some of our most popular Be The Bridge Podcasts of 2020. These highlights will come from our founder and podcast host Latasha Morrison, as well as from guests Beth Moore,  Jemar Tisby, and Christina Edmonson.  Enjoy! Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

When it comes to Christmas Classics Jimmy Stewart’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone” starring Macaulay Culkin may come to mind. With that said, movies like “The Preacher’s Wife” starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington or “The Last Holiday” starring Queen Latifah are often not mentioned by some.  Well our founder, podcast host, and Christmas enthusiast, Latasha Morrison tackles this subject with Actor / Director / Producer and fellow Christmas enthusiast, Kim Fields.  Kim is not only one of the stars of the new Netflix comedy The Upshaws but she too has added to the legacy of multicultural Christmas offerings with her own holiday movie, Lifetime’s “You Light Up My Christmas”.  Join us in this discussion covering elements of Kim’s iconic career, her push to create projects that diversify Hollywood’s holiday cheer, and Kim and Latasha’s love of the Holiday season.  As a bonus, Latasha chats with Netflix's "Jingle Jangle" producer and author of the Jingle Jangle book series Lyn Sisson-Talbert. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Quotes: "I still feel like there's a lot of uncharted waters for me to explore on either side of the camera." - Kim Fields "I'm so grateful to God for the blessing of longevity. I still have the fire in my belly for my industry. I still love what I do." - Kim Fields "I think it's an old, old way of thinking, to be honest, it's an old game, and it's time to come into the new it's time to look at how the world really looks, you know, we are very powerful in our buying dollars." - Lyn Sisson-Talbert "...our goal is to open a door for other artists and creators to be able to do more like this to break more new talent..." Lyn Sisson-Talbert LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

If you’ve heard the party anthem “This Is How We Do It” then you know something about the popular artist, singer, songwriter, and producer Montell Jordan. But what you may not know is that after leaving the music industry, he became the Praise and Worship Pastor at one of the most diverse churches not just in the state of Georgia but in the country: Victory World Church. His most recent ministry venture in partnership with his manager and wife of 26 years, Kristin, is a couples’ ministry called Marriage Masterpeace. Together, the power couple hosts and speaks at conferences encouraging marital harmony through biblical principles. Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison talks with the Jordans about navigating all of these spaces together and the impact of injustice on their roles in ministry. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “Praise is what we do because of what He’s done. But worship is because of what He does and who He is.” - Kristin Jordan “When we lost ourselves, God was able to find us through marriage. It was in the safety of marriage that we were both able to be put back together again.” - Montell Jordan “Our messes become our ministry. We take the places where we were broken, where we were a mess, and where God was gracious enough to see us through—and try and help people walk through things that they feel like they can’t. And the idea is that we’re hope on the other side of the mountain.” - Kristin Jordan “I get an opportunity to minister in my shows, saying that “Get It On Tonite” was about adultery, but God saved me from that. “Let’s Ride” was about fornication, but God saved me from that. And so I use those negative musical moments that are attached to people’s lives to tell the story of God’s redemption.” - Montell Jordan LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In the volatile year of 2020 we’ve seen uprisings that have spurred tense feelings and emotions causing Christians to be split on issues related to social justice. But, this is also a year where athletes have used their platform in ways that are reminiscent of the civil rights era.  Fists in the air are coupled with kneeling during the national anthem and sporting events by sports professionals in every sport from basketball to tennis, NASCAR to Formula racing, and everywhere in between.  Be the Bridge Founder Latasha Morrison was able to have a conversation with a Christian athlete who not only has a heart for rectifying social and economic inequities but has placed himself on the frontlines of the fight for social justice.  His name is Justin Holiday, the shooting guard / small forward for the Indiana Pacers. Quotes: “We didn’t grow up watching the news.  When things happened we knew how to get in the word. We knew how to pray and that’s what we did.” - Justin Holiday “As much as I wanted to be away from the news and not see certain things, one, with social media it’s gonna happen but two I needed to see that, I needed to not keep myself away from that.” - Justin Holiday “I don’t have my children on social media. I wanna protect my children from nasty comments” - Justin Holiday “Don’t make yourself less worthy than you should be.  You’re a child of God.” - Justin Holiday LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode, Latasha talks with writer and speaker Dante Stewart about his experiences with assimilation in predominantly white institutions, including his time as a cornerback at Clemson University and his journey in ministry at a white evangelical church. Latasha guides listeners by adding context to the conversation, and Dante gives encouragement to Black Christians and white churches to spur them on in the pursuit of racial justice and healing. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “People say, ‘Hey, I'm adaptable in many environments.’ Oftentimes adaptable means you gotta lose a serious part of yourself.” - Dante “In order for you to make it you can't be too Black going into these spaces. You keep your head down, you do your work, and you handle your business...our parents knew that to be really Black in these white spaces oftentimes would work against us.” - Dante “I'm not someone who says, you know, ‘My first identity is Christian.’ That's just not the case. I mean, it's a meaningful identity. But when I walk outside into the world, the first thing people ain't seeing is ‘Christian.’ The first thing people see is Black. And that means I need to make sense of that somehow.” - Dante “None of us are walking into a neutral story. There is no such thing as a neutral kind of religious environment. There's no such thing as a neutral story. There's always a story here before I got here that's inviting me to see myself as a certain type of person and kind of embody a certain type of action.” - Dante “If we want to get free, there is no freedom without literature and critical engagement with literature.” - Dante “Even if the demographic makeup of one's church doesn't change, the kind of spiritual, political, religious, and moral bent and framework of one's heart, and the heart of one's congregation, can show that congregation is a just church.” - Dante LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

This episode brings together Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison with Pastor, Author, and thought leader Rich Villodas. Rich is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship Church, which happens to be a large multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, New York.  In this episode, the conversations will center around the topic of Racial Reconciliation through the lens of Diversity. As our country grows more diverse it has become a reflection of the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community groups that we call churches. Latasha’s discussion with Rich will guide us through what true diversity looks like in The Body of Christ, and the intersectionality of Christianity and race here in the American Church. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor, Transcriber & Music By - Travon Potts “It’s often White people who have written about spiritual formations…” - Rich Villodas “...the church is to be more than a sanctified subway car we are the new family of God...” - Rich Villodas “...with all of that diversity, I’ve learned that the Gospel is for all people, that’s the first thing I’ve learned in preaching in this setting…” - Rich Villodas “There is no one normative expression of worship, bring who you are.” - Rich Villodas LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

This episode brings together faith leaders Kathryn Freeman, Jenny Yang, and Michael Wear to discuss a hot button issue-civic engagement for American Christians.  We'll hear from each of them about what it means for followers of Christ to love their neighbors through politics, voting, and the "third space."  How do we move from awareness to action, and action to advocacy?  Our amazing guests help us understand the challenges and rewards of participation in the political sphere as people of faith. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittnay Prescott Quotes: "There's nothing wrong with being political. All of us are political beings, all of us live in structures and governments, and communities in which all of us need to come together to make important decisions that impact the common good."  - Jenny Yang “The fine line is between being political and being partisan because oftentimes, partisanship can mean blind allegiance to a specific political party or candidate without realizing that there are faults with specific candidates and parties. And not a single political party or person will ever encompass the fully, perfectly balanced agenda that I believe we’re supposed to pursue in our society.” - Jenny Yang “Faithful political engagement means that you’re willing to put faithfulness over short term political gain. It also means that you’re not just in politics for your own self-interest, that you’re not just going to politics to get your own needs met.” - Michael Wear “I’m convinced people are going to politics a lot these days for spiritual and emotional needs. We find those needs met in Christ, and so we’re freed up to go into politics to affirm human dignity and advance justice.” - Michael Wear “There has to be a separation of who I am as an American and a citizen of this democracy, and who I am as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. And I think oftentimes we blend those two things together as if America is a Christian nation, and it doesn’t matter that we’ve made an idol or that we live in a way where those identities are blended.” - Kathryn Freeman “The reality is, whether you’re liberal or conservative, you should feel like, ‘I can’t go with that, because my first identity is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.’ And if you never feel that tension, if the country is always doing what you feel like aligns with God, then I would say that the God that you’re worshipping is not the God of the Bible. It’s not the Jesus of the red letters.” - Kathryn Freeman LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

This episode brings together Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison with two scholars, Dr. Christina Edmondson Ph.D., and Doctoral candidate Jemar Tisby. Both are thought leaders in the push for racial equity in ecclesiastical spaces. In this episode, the conversations will center around the topic of CRT which is short for Critical Race Theory. We strive, as a podcast, to give you, our listeners and supporters, foundational tools to help you develop a clear historical and biblical perspective as it relates to race. LaTasha’s discussions with Christina and Jemar guides us through critiques of inequities and misrepresentations found anywhere, even in academia, that creates racial disharmony. Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “We need to be critically discerning everything that comes before us and submitting it to the Word of God...” - Dr. Christina Edmondson “Folks always have tried to label people as a way to disempower them and that’s especially true when it comes to black people.” - Jemar Tisby “Whereas there are other church traditions that would say like, well, of course, this church racism is baked in, in this country…” - Dr. Christina Edmondson “There’s a popular phrase that says history repeats itself...more accurately history doesn’t repeat itself, history rhymes.” - Jemar Tisby LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

This episode brings together Be the Bridge founder Latasha Morrison and bestselling author, evangelist, and Bible teacher Beth Moore as they talk about racial reconciliation in the Christian faith. Beth details her own experiences speaking against injustice, dealing with the backlash, and waking up to her responsibilities as a faith leader. She also gives some insight into how Christians can become bold reconcilers who move beyond a head knowledge of Christ into heart knowledge and action.  Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown Producer, Editor & Music By - Travon Potts Transcriber - Brittany Prescott Quotes: “There’s a calling we have to be bold, which leads us as reconcilers, or bridge builders, to speak up.” - Latasha “There was not a single time that I have been really outspoken that I would have told you that I was going back on whether or not I should say it. It would have been that I could not have kept from saying it. And if that’s the case, then I can be at peace there.” - Beth “We have a whole politic that is pro-Christian, that has been separated entirely from what is actually Christlike.” - Beth “When we are going to do what lifts us up, instead of what puts the cross in our hands to carry, we have upset the entire thing. We traded our prophetic witness for power, we have exploited the scriptures to serve our camp’s interests, we have confused divine favor with being on top. We’ve got an idolatry problem! We’ve got nationalism, we’ve got misogyny...I mean it just goes on and on.” - Beth “Our mouth cannot overshoot our heart, or our duplicity is going to be exposed.” - Beth“We want to know when we have finished up, all that’s gonna matter when we’re in front of God, is that we did the will of Christ Jesus—that we were courageous in it and bold in it.” - Beth “I believe that our relief would be in our repentance. Our rest would be in our repentance. And just to be willing to do what it takes to just own up and admit we have moved so far from Christlikeness in the Church. The only reason we’re recognizing this is because of the mercy and grace of God showing us. So why can’t we say, ‘Glory hallelujah, we are beginning to see it.’” - Beth Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the Be the Bridge podcast for more conversations on racial healing, equity, and reconciliation! LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridge Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison Twitter: @LatashaMorrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/ Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, founder Latasha Morrison speaks with TV Producer and “Mixed Life ATL” podcast host Shannon Doyle Bell, as well as author LeTesha Wheeler, about their experiences as biracial women in America—exploring their personal histories and upbringings, the process of embracing cultural differences in their own families, and what it’s like raising biracial children in a label-driven world. About Shannon Doyle Bell Shannon is a creative producer of story-telling and any art form that brings light and inspiration. She had a very loving childhood that was packed full of questions for her black/African-American father and her white/Caucasian mother. This spear-headed her passion for understanding any and everyone’s stories, the sociology of race and ethnic studies, and supporting the hard faith-work of racial reconciliation. Her career in the entertainment industry has taken her to producing television for both reality TV and talk shows. In fact, she and Tarana met over ten years ago while producing together for BET. Shannon has also produced satellite radio shows for Jamie Foxx while working at his production company. She grew up in the midwest by way of Brooklyn, NY, and later lived in Los Angeles, CA, eventually making her way to Atlanta where she lives with her husband, three children, and their goldendoodle. She is the owner of her company, SDB-360, LLC, and piloted the podcast, Mixed Life ATL. About LeTesha Wheeler LeTesha Wheeler is a passionate influencer, author, and speaker whose greatest desire is to motivate others to walk in the fullness of their purpose, overcome fear, and stand strong in their faith despite life’s biggest obstacles. LeTesha’s life experiences and family heritage have fueled her voice for reconciliation within her local community and the nation. She has been married to James since 2003 and has two amazing teenage boys. LeTesha enjoys spending quality time cheering on their sons in their various sports, coaching track, serving in various roles in their home church and leading life-changing events. Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the Be the Bridge podcast for more conversations on racial healing, equity, and reconciliation! LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridge Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison Twitter: @LatashaMorrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/ Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, founder Latasha Morrison talks with minister, writer, speaker, and consultant Dr. Elizabeth Rios. They share an open, honest conversation about racial solidarity within church planting, leadership as a Latina woman, centering marginalized voices in a world of colorism, and envisioning a future where justice is built into churches’ DNA. “Justice is a God idea. It’s not a liberal idea, it’s not a political idea, it’s a God idea.” –Dr. Rios “A lot of churches don’t talk about heritage. They basically tell you to leave it at the door because once we’re ‘under the blood,’ everything goes away. But in reality, once we’re ‘under the blood,’ our heritage should be even richer! We should celebrate even more.” –Dr. Rios “Every community is dealing with colorism, especially brown and Black communities, which is really a product of white supremacy—and we don’t realize that and how we can perpetuate the problem. When we start talking about the basis of racism and disunity, we start looking at this anti-Blackness, because no one wants to be on the bottom. No one wants to appear to be like the group that is being oppressed.” –Latasha Morrison “We have to pay close attention to that development of our souls if we want to live out God’s justice in the world. There’s a direct correlation between our relationship with God and our acts of kindness, and our acts of mercy, and compassion, and justice. Even this desire even to have racial solidarity comes from a place of having that understanding of what God wants for all of us.” –Dr. Rios About Dr. Elizabeth Rios Dr. Rios has been in ministry for over 30 years serving in a variety of roles including pastor (Executive Pastor and Co-Pastor). She now is the Founder of The Passion Center that is dedicated to educating people who have a passion for justice, advocacy, and change in the South Florida area. She’s worked most of her life in nonprofits and in higher education. She has also been an entrepreneur and has consulted schools, faith-based organizations, small businesses, and non-profits since 1996. As an Afro-Latina, Puerto Rican American she considers herself to be a writer/activist and advocate for women in ministry, faith-based civic activism, and biblical justice. Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the Be the Bridge podcast for more conversations on racial healing, equity, and reconciliation! Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridge Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison Twitter: @LatashaMorrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/ Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode, Latasha and Jo Saxton talk about barriers to leadership for women of color, the importance of leveraging opportunities for the sake of others, the power of representation, and the restorative benefits of intentional self-care. A Londoner born to Nigerian immigrants, now living in Minnesota, Jo Saxton is an author, speaker, podcast host, and a leadership coach helping women grow in leadership. She has written books on leadership, identity, and legacy, the newest of which is called "Ready to Rise: Own Your Voice, Gather Your Community, and Step Into Your Influence." Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridge Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/ Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, Latasha speaks with Andrea Smith, author and co-founder of INCITE! about solidarity among people of color, the consequences of colonialism in limiting our connectedness, the intersections of violence in gender and race, and what it might look like to reimagine a world where all people groups can thrive. “People of color are not a monolithic group. We are very different with different cultural expressions and different lived experiences.” –Latasha Morrison “We’re doing things to hurt each other. And if we recognize that as a starting ground and we make a political commitment to do otherwise, we say ‘I’m going to learn how to be different with you, I’m going to start to learn history, I’m going to start to receive critique that I’m hurting you.'” –Andrea Smith “We must always be critical of not settling for what seems to be the best we can get, and instead say, ‘What’s the best governance system where we can all live that’s not dependent on some peoples’ death?'” –Andrea Smith About Andrea Andrea Smith is the coordinator of Evangelicals 4 Justice and board member of the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies.  She is the co-editor with Mae Cannon of Evangelical Theologies of Liberation and Justice (IVP), and author of Unreconciled: From Racial Reconciliation to Racial Justice in Christian Evangelicalism (Duke), Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide; and editor of The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Nonprofit Industrial Complex. She is the co-founder of Incite: Women of Color Against Violence and the Boarding School Healing Project. Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the Be the Bridge podcast for more conversations on racial healing, equity and reconciliation! Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridge Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison Twitter: @LatashaMorrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/ Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In this episode of the Be the Bridge podcast, founder Latasha Morrison and public theologian Lisa Sharon Harper discuss the implications of America’s historical narrative gap, Lisa’s journey to discover the stories of her ancestors, and how we can build bridges from our nation’s past to become more present. “Scripture itself, particularly the biblical concept of shalom, is not about domination but rather about servanthood of the other—service, protection, and cultivation of all.” –Lisa Sharon Harper “Race as a construct was created to determine one thing on this land that we call America: Who has the divine call and the capacity to exercise dominion on this land.” –Lisa Sharon Harper “In order to understand where we are today, we have to look at where we were yesterday.” –Latasha Morrison About Lisa Lisa Sharon Harper is the founder and president of Freedom Road, a groundbreaking consulting group that crafts experiences that bring common understanding and common commitments that lead to common action toward a more just world. Lisa is a public theologian whose writing, speaking, activism and training has sparked and fed the fires of re-formation in the church from Ferguson and Charlottesville to South Africa, Brazil, Australia and Ireland. Lisa’s book, The Very Good Gospel was named 2016 “Book of the Year” and the Huffington Post identified Lisa as one of 50 Women Religious Leaders to Celebrate on International Women’s Day. Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridge Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison Twitter: @LatashaMorrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/ Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

In Part 2 of "How It All Began!", Latasha Morrison and Susan Seay talk about the beginning of their BTB and how Susan played a part in its formation.  To learn more about how the bridge started, purchase the Be the Bridge Book. Be the Bridge Book You can find a full transcript of this episode on our website: Be The Bridge Blog

Latasha Morrison and Jennie Allen talk about the beginning of their friendship journey. To learn more about how the bridge started, purchase the Be the Bridge Book. Be the Bridge Book You can find a full transcript of this episode on our website: Be The Bridge Blog

Interview with Don and Susan McLaughlin, and Stephen Maxwell, on Don's book "Love First: Ending Hate before It's Too Late" and how they implement BTB groups at their church. This was a recorded interview from 2018.

Interview with Matthew Horace, author of "The Black and The Blue: A Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America's Law Enforcement". This was a recorded interview from 2019.

In this episode, Latasha Morrison speaks with pastor and author Daniel Hill about his abrupt awakening to whiteness at the age of 24 and the implications of being a white man in America. Latasha and Daniel explore the journey expressed through his book White Awake: An Honest Look at What it Means to be White, which walks readers through seven stages of cultural awakening.

Latasha Morrison, founder of Be the Bridge, interviews activist and author Kathy Khang about practical ways to raise your voice in real life, the difference between disruption and discernment, and troublemaking for the sake of the Gospel. Kathy also explores making authentic justice-minded friends in white evangelical spaces and especially the intersection of race and gender within a ministry vocation. First published on Facebook Live - August 14, 2018 Resources mentioned: BOOK: Kathy Khang, Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up MOVIE: Warner Brothers,  Crazy Rich Asians

In this episode, Latasha Morrison interviews author Dominique Gilliard about his book Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores.