Tonight on Around the Table with the AOTR,

Reverend Sydney Francis stopped in to share her journey of spiritual empowerment through her work with Soul Gardener and her book, Activating Lunar Alchemy.

The discussion delves into the importance of personal growth, community empowerment, and the transformative power of lunar cycles in spiritual practices.

Reverend Sydney emphasizes the significance of introspection, self-responsibility, and the role of spiritual practices during times of uncertainty. She also shared her vision for the future of Soul Gardener, aiming to create a supportive, non-dogmatic spiritual community.

#soulgardener #revsydneyfrancis #lunaralchemy

#spiritualgrowth #communityengagement

#selfdiscovery #mindfulness #healing #religious #religioustrauma #personaltransformation #selfhelp

A Force Worthy of Recognition Rippling Empowerment Through Art & Advocacy:

In this episode of Around the Table with the AOTR, Tonya Todd drops in to chat with Sai, Bev, and Kindra!

Tonya is a multifaceted creator, discusses her journey as an author, actress, and activist.

She shares insights on her essay collection 'Comic Lit', the importance of representation in literature and film, and the challenges faced by marginalized creators.

Tonya emphasizes the significance of storytelling that centers diverse voices and the need for empathy in understanding different perspectives.

Tonya also offers advice for young writers and reflects on her current projects, including a retelling of Dracula from a fresh feminine perspective that empowers Mina Murray's agency!

Follow Tonya Todd on IG!

Tonya Todd's Official Website!

In this heartfelt conversation, Doug Lawrence shares his insights on grief, healing, and the transformative power of writing with Sai and Kindra.

Doug discusses the misconceptions surrounding grief, the cultural stigmas that prevent open discussions, and the importance of community support.

He emphasizes that grief is a journey without a defined timeline and encourages listeners to honor their feelings while seeking help.

Through personal anecdotes and reflections, he illustrates how grief can lead to personal growth and resilience.

Get Doug's book, Grief: The Silent Pandemic!

Grief is a profound and universal experience, a natural response to the loss of someone or something deeply cherished. Yet, for many, the journey through grief is made even more difficult by a lack of personal understanding and a society rife with misconceptions about what it means to grieve. This widespread misunderstanding has contributed to a mental health pandemic, leaving countless individuals feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and without the tools to heal.

In Grief the Silent Pandemic, Doug Lawrence offers a guiding light in the darkness of loss. Drawing from decades of experience as a grief mentor and the deeply personal pain of losing his beloved wife, Lawrence provides a compassionate and insightful exploration of the grieving process. With raw honesty and profound empathy, he delves into the complexities of grief, shedding light on the emotional, psychological, and societal challenges it presents.

Through heartfelt storytelling, practical advice, and actionable solutions, Lawrence empowers readers to navigate their own grief journeys. He challenges the stigma and misinformation surrounding grief, offering a roadmap to healing that is rooted in understanding, connection, and hope.

In this episode, the co-founders of Authors of the Resistance (AOTR) reflect on their journey over the past six months, discussing their individual writing careers, the themes of their works, and the importance of community support in the face of societal challenges.

Kindra shares her focus on dystopian fiction that addresses political issues, while Bev discusses her dark romance narratives that highlight queer representation and recovery.

The conversation shifts to the pressing issue of homelessness and mental health, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in addressing these societal problems. The episode concludes with a look ahead to future projects and initiatives within AOTR, reinforcing their commitment to advocacy and empowerment.

Takeaways

The importance of community support among authors.

Dystopian fiction can reflect current societal issues.

Writing about trauma and recovery is essential.

Advocacy for marginalized voices is crucial.

Homelessness is a complex issue that needs compassion.

Mental health is often intertwined with homelessness.

Authors can use their platforms for activism.

Empowerment through storytelling is vital.

The need for open discussions about difficult topics.

Future projects aim to create positive change.

In this episode, the cohosts, Sai, Kindra & Bev discuss the implications of recent executive orders on mental health and homelessness, drawing parallels to historical institutionalization practices.

They explore the societal pressures surrounding body image and the potential mental health impacts of these pressures.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of distraction techniques for mental well-being and introduces a creative project aimed at resistance against these societal issues.

• The new executive order on homelessness is regressive.
• Historical practices of institutionalization are resurfacing.
• Mental health issues are often exacerbated by societal pressures.
• Eugenics themes are present in current policies.
• Body image narratives can lead to mental health issues.
• Distraction techniques are essential for mental well-being.
• Creative projects can serve as a form of resistance.
• The homeless population is vulnerable and often criminalized.
• Advocacy for mental health resources is crucial.

• Community engagement is necessary for addressing these issues.

Episode eight discussion with Kindra Sowder, Beverly L. Anderson, and me.Also, discussion of the widespread outrage following the announcement from the DOJ that the Epstein List does not exist, and how MAGA followers are lashing out at Trump following this announcement and his deflection of the list’s importance.

Episode seven discussion with Kindra Sowder, Beverly L. Anderson and me.Also discussion of the budget cuts of Medicaid and Food Stamps and fueling funding to ICE programs such as this Auschwitz-reminiscent facility called Alligator Alcatraz.

Another discussion with Kindra Sowder and me.For AOTR Podcast Episode 6Topic: What is a Real Patriot (Don't be a Loyalist!)