Humanize Courthney Russell Jr and Emily Braucher

“I have made mistakes and I have paid the ultimate cost for them and I am still here.” 
 - Leon Kennedy III
 
We are absolutely floored by our conversation with Leon. Here is a man who, through the darkest times imaginable, has reached into the depths of his being to find strength, perseverance and hope. 
Since his first incarceration at the age of 19 in Virginia, Leon has spent decades of his life behind bars in some of the U.S.’s most violent and corrupt prisons, while also battling a chronic neural disease. He was granted parole 3 years ago and lives with his wife in their home in Alabama, where he continues to fight for justice in America’s corrupted incarceration system.   
 
Listen to hear us talk about
Leon’s life-story from incarceration to freedom
Mental & emotional fortitude 
Lessons learned and chances given
The violence and injustice of Alabama’s prison system
“Reaching back” to help those behind you
U.S. incarceration system as modern day slavery The current lawsuit against Alabama’s prison system
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Connect with Leon:
Kennedyiiileon@gmail.com 
lkiiispeaks@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leon.kennedyiii
 
Get Involved:
https://www.dreamdefenders.org/
https://apaep.auburn.edu/
https://offenderalumniassociation.org/
https://alabamaappleseed.org/
 
If you’d like to support us in continuing this work, we’d be honored if you’d consider donating here: https://www.patreon.com/thehumanizepodcast 
 
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us and continue the conversation:
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehumanizepodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehumanizepodcast 
Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com
 

What would it look like if every person in the U.S. was well versed in the history of racism?
Today we are unpacking the Netflix adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi’s “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America”. This documentary is a must watch if you haven’t already, and check out more of our recommended resources below. 
 
Listen to hear us talk about:
How denial operates
White supremacy fails everyone
Community and tribalism
Historical opportunities for progress
How do the problems of racism we are facing now compare to historical problems? 
 
Resources mentioned: 
Stamped From The Beginning (Netflix)
Rustin (Netflix)
‘Fugitive Pedagogy’ by Jarvis R. Givens
The 1619 Project
‘Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents’ by Isabel Wilkerson
‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ by Paulo Freire
 
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If you’d like to support us in continuing this work, we’d be honored if you’d consider donating here: https://www.patreon.com/thehumanizepodcast 
 
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us and continue the conversation:
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehumanizepodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehumanizepodcast 
Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com

“We need to build community like our life depends on it.” 
We are joined today by awe-inspiring Nana Boakye; local philantropist and community builder from Ghana to Boulder. Nana chanelled his passion for soccer into “Kick2Build” community organization, and in this episode we hear how and why he created this inclusive community, and how diversity is celebrated using sports and cultural arts.  
Listen to hear us talk about:
Community building as a long term responsibility  
Race and intersectionality
Capitalism & white supremacy culture 
‘Black’ v. ‘African American’ identity
Community is the answer
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Connect with Nana and Kick2Build:
Instagram - Justboakye 
Facebook - Nana K. Boakye
www.kicktobuild.org 
 
If you’d like to support us in continuing this work, we’d be honored if you’d consider donating here: https://www.patreon.com/thehumanizepodcast 
 
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us and continue the conversation:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehumanizepodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehumanizepodcast 
Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com
 

Today we are unpacking some big themes from last week’s episode with Dr. Roberto Montoya: “CRT is Race Consciousness”. Join us as we push into edgy territory; asking ‘scary’ questions about race, expanding our comfort zones and as always, leading with love.
 
Listen to hear us talk about:
The blindness privilege 
The discomfort of cultural change 
Allowing complex feelings 
Cancel culture vs. curiosity culture
Where we’ve come from, bringing in lineage 



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If you’d like to support us in continuing this work, we’d be honored if you’d consider donating here: https://www.patreon.com/thehumanizepodcast 
 
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us and continue the conversation:
 
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehumanizepodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehumanizepodcast 
Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com

This is such a special episode, we’ve been waiting 2 years to release it! Today we are talking all things CRT (Critical Race Theory) with Dr. Roberto Montoya, Associate VP of Partner Success for Hispanic Serving Institutions. Weaving poetry, personal experiences and academia, Dr. Montoya gives us an insightful framework to understand CRT, race consciousness and why having race explicit conversations are necessary for every single one of us to make sense of this world.
 
Listen to hear us talk about:
How is race consciousness developed
How CRT is weaponized
The importance of knowing our own story 
Centering dignity 
How to call people into this work, through curiosity
Understanding academic roots
Critical race parenting
Measuring institutional support 
 
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If you’d like to support us in continuing this work, we’d be honored if you’d consider donating here: https://www.patreon.com/thehumanizepodcast 
 
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us and continue the conversation:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehumanizepodcast
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehumanizepodcast 
Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com

Annnnnd we’re back! Hitting the ground running. Today we’re talking all things Barbie, human supremacy, and audacious love. This season is fresh, engaging and jam-packed with vulnerability - jump on in everyone, let’s do this. 
 
Listen to hear us talk about: 
Why are we still giving Trump attention?
Patriarchy, capitalism & white supremacy
Going against the stream of societal conditioning 
Activism, sacrifice and obligation
THESE exciting sneak peaks of the upcoming season! 

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If you’d like to support us in continuing this work, we’d be honored if you’d consider donating here: https://www.patreon.com/thehumanizepodcast 
 
Let’s talk about it! Connect with us to continue the conversation:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehumanizepodcast 
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thehumanizepodcast  
Email: info@thehumanizepodcast.com