Be the Bridge Podcast

Latest Episodes:

229 - The Injustices in Minneapolis and Submitting to the Leadership of People of Color with Pastor Stephanie Williams O'Brien Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

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

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Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

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228 - Redefining Food as a Means of Organizing, Activating, and Educating with Netflix's High on the Hog Host Stephen Satterfield Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

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

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Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge Podcast Survey

https://forms.gle/CtssQibbH9Ct7Qdx6

227 - Seeing the Thread of Justice with Author and NFL Veteran Sam Acho Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

After playingnine 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

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Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Be The Bridge - Juneteenth 2021 with Professor, Poet, Scholar Dr. Claudia May Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

226 - Take it to the Bridge: A Conversation on Leading a Local Be the Bridge Group Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

225 - The Toll of Navigating Predominately White Spaces and White Church Culture with Lecrae Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

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

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Podcast link: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

224 - Take it to the Bridge: A Conversation on the Collision of the Church and Culture with Latasha Morrison (Part 2) May 18, 2021

Show notes

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

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Podcast link: https://podlink.to/BeTheBridgeSocial handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrisonTwitter: @LatashaMorrisonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

223 - Take it to the Bridge: A Conversation on Grief, the Inequitable Impacts of COVID, Allies and Accomplices, and Polarization in the Church with Latasha Morrison (Part 1) May 04, 2021

Show notes

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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

222 - A Conversation on How Bridge-Building is Exported through Training (Part 2) with Mariah Humphries, Sean Watkins, and Gina Fimbel Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

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 Fimbel

“...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 Fimbel

“...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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

Official Hashtag: #bethebridge

221 - A Conversation on How Bridge-Building is Exported through Training (Part 1) with Mariah Humphries and Tania Mirón Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

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