Be the Bridge Podcast

Latest Episodes:

211 - Racial Reconciliation through the Lens of Diversity with Pastor Rich Villodas Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

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

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

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

210 - Christians and the Third Space: Voting, Justice, and Righteousness with Kathryn Freeman, Jenny Yang, and Michael Wear Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

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

Social handles/links:

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

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

209 - A Biblical and Historical Perspective on CRT (Critical Race Theory) with Dr. Christina Edmondson & Jemar Tisby Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

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

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

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

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

208 - The Responsibility of Faith Leaders to Raise their Voice and Move into Action with Beth Moore Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

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

207 - Experiencing Life as Biracial Women with Shannon Doyle Bell and LeTesha Wheeler Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/
Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

206 - Leadership as a Latina Woman and Racial Solidarity within Church Planting with Dr. Elizabeth Rios Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

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://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/be-the-bridge/
Social handles/links: Instagram: @LatashaMorrison
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

205 - Barriers to Leadership for Women of Color and the Power of Representation and Self-Care with Jo Saxton Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

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

Instagram: @LatashaMorrison

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

204 - What Can Solidarity Look Like Among People of Color? (Part 2) with Andrea Smith Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

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

Social handles/links:
Instagram: @LatashaMorrison
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

203 - What Can Solidarity Look Like Among People of Color? (Part 1) with Lisa Sharon Harper Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

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

Social handles/links:
Instagram: @LatashaMorrison
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatashaMMorrison/

202 - How it All Began with Be the Bridge (Part 2) with Susan Seay Jun 23, 2020

Show notes

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

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