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Latest Episodes
Episode 8
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September 02, 2020
Mental Distress and Compassion
The internet went wild when Michelle Obama admitted on her new podcast that she was suffering from “low-grade” depression. What do we all feel about our current culture of anxiety and depression? Are people ashamed? Is the stigma gone? Are there differences among white women and Black women? And how does that wellness industry fit into all of this? ### Sources: [https://www.vulture.com/2017/01/black-ish-recap-season-3-episode-13.html](https://www.vulture.com/2017/01/black-ish-recap-season-3-episode-13.html) [https://www.instagram.com/theviragoproject/](https://www.instagram.com/theviragoproject/) [https://thelovelandfoundation.org/](https://thelovelandfoundation.org/) [https://therapyforblackgirls.com/](https://therapyforblackgirls.com/) [https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/us/michelle-obama-coronavirus-depression-trnd/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/us/michelle-obama-coronavirus-depression-trnd/index.html) [https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/us/michelle-obama-depression-black-women-wellness-trnd/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/us/michelle-obama-depression-black-women-wellness-trnd/index.html) [https://howyouheal.com/whitewashing-wellness/](https://howyouheal.com/whitewashing-wellness/) [https://www.athleteally.org/decolonizing-fitness/](https://www.athleteally.org/decolonizing-fitness/) [https://www.decolonizingwellnessto.com/home-1](https://www.decolonizingwellnessto.com/home-1) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/06/12/mental-health-george-floyd-census/?arc404=true](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/06/12/mental-health-george-floyd-census/?arc404=true) -- ### Prompts Want to talk about this with your friends? Use our conversation prompts to get you going: 1. Look at the statistics. Black Americans and other people of color are leading the historic rise in depression and anxiety. From a narrative perspective, why do you think that is? 2. What are any differences along race or culture lines do you see when it comes to depression and anxiety? 3. Did you grow up thinking about depression or anxiety at all? [Versus younger generations] Do you think there are differences along class lines? Race? Why? 4. How do we navigate situational depression from clinical depression? * Have you ever been depressed or anxious? How do you cope? 5. How do you define the wellness industry? Self-care? Do differences emerge when you think about race or class? 6. What does the wellness industry need to do to decolonize? What does decolonize mean to you? -- Please **rate and review** this podcast if you enjoyed it; they greatly helps new listeners see this podcast is worth their time. You can find Women Bridging the Gap on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-bridging-the-gap/id1521503012) and [Podchaser](https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/women-bridging-the-gap-1304390). **We want to hear from you!** Let us know how you’re speaking about these issues with your friends. **Let us know what topics you want to hear!** Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) You can find us at: [WomenBridgingtheGap.com](https://womenbridgingthegap.com) You can find Lenya at: ...
00:40:33
Episode 7
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August 26, 2020
Microaggressions
“A microaggression is a comment or gesture (whether made intentionally or not) that feeds into stereotypes or negative assumptions created around oppressed or marginalized groups of people. The term was first used in the 1970s by Harvard's Chester M. Pierce, MD. They tend to be based on a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability—and to the recipient, can feel like an attack.” [June 11, 2020 Oprah Magazine article](https://www.oprahmag.com/life/relationships-love/a26294696/what-is-microaggression/). Conversation Prompts: * How do you handle microaggressions? What’s the worst one? What’s the statement that is so seemingly neutral but cuts you to the core? * Can you think to a time you might have committed a microaggression? * A list of microaggressions to discuss: * All lives matter. * You’re so white sounding. * Can I touch your hair? * Where are you from? I mean, really. * I don’t see color. * You’re an inspiration. * What is your accent? * You’re so articulate. * I love your hair. * Do you believe a person should be fired for a microaggression? * What advice do you have for people who hear a microaggression? * What advice do you have for people who worry that curiosity and/or connection is hindered by some of the more neutral microaggressions? Sources: Tiffany Alvoid, Eliminating Microaggressions: The Next Level of Inclusion, TEDxOakland, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPqVit6TJjw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPqVit6TJjw) Side Effects of White Women, Small Doses with Amanda Seales, [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-doses-with-amanda-seales/id1333316223?i=1000412578866](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-doses-with-amanda-seales/id1333316223?i=1000412578866) [https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away](https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/28/what-microaggressions-small-slights-serious-consequences/362754002/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/28/what-microaggressions-small-slights-serious-consequences/362754002/) [https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/health/racial-microaggressions-examples-responses-wellness/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/health/racial-microaggressions-examples-responses-wellness/index.html) [https://www.oprahmag.com/life/relationships-love/a26294696/what-is-microaggression/](https://www.oprahmag.com/life/relationships-love/a26294696/what-is-microaggression/) [https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-28/chief-district-judge-los-angeles-steps-down-racially-insensitive-comments](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-28/chief-district-judge-los-angeles-steps-down-racially-insensitive-comments) [https://www.oxfordcartographers.com/our-maps/peters-projection-map/](https://www.oxfordcartographers.com/our-maps/peters-projection-map/) -- Please **rate and review** this podcast if you enjoyed it; they greatly helps new listeners see this podcast is worth their time. You can find Women Bridging the Gap on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-bridging-the-gap/id1521503012) and [Podchaser](https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/women-bridging-the-gap-1304390). **We want to hear from you!** Let us know how you’re speaking about these issues with your friends. **Let us know what topics you ...
00:58:37
Episode 6
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August 19, 2020
Interview of Lenya Wilson
This episode is all about Lenya Wilson’s background, parents, and journey. Alexandra asks the questions and dives into The Goddess’s history with Georgia, Australia, New York, and California, as well as The One’s Puerto Rican and Black roots, a racial struggle that preceded any Black and white divide for Lenya. Explore a bit what it's like to raise a Black child in Australia, a country with a very white centered culture. Hear more about how Lenya got into fitness, CrossFit, and powerlifting, and discover where racism is deeply ingrained where you might not expect it. Also, get the backstory for Lenya’s instagram handle, which is also That Bitch’s preferred pronouns. -- Please **rate and review** this podcast if you enjoyed it; they greatly helps new listeners see this podcast is worth their time. You can find Women Bridging the Gap on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-bridging-the-gap/id1521503012) and [Podchaser](https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/women-bridging-the-gap-1304390). **We want to hear from you!** Let us know how you’re speaking about these issues with your friends. **Let us know what topics you want to hear!** Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) You can find us at: [WomenBridgingtheGap.com](https://womenbridgingthegap.com) You can find Lenya at: Instagram - [@Lenya_ goddess_ that_bitch](https://www.instagram.com/lenya_goddess_that_bitch) You can find Alexandra at: Instagram - [@a_xandra17](https://www.instagram.com/a_xandra17) and [@thewritingleap](https://www.instagram.com/thewritingleap) This podcast was edited by Brendan Hutchins from Podcast Advocate. Go to [PodcastAdvocate.Network](http://PodcastAdvocate.Network) or find him on [Twitter @PodcastAdvocate](https://twitter.com/podcastadvocate) to learn more. ...
00:27:41
Episode 5
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August 12, 2020
Interview of Alexandra D'Italia
Alexandra takes the hot seat while Lenya asks all about her past, where she grew up, her parent’s careers and how they met, and her undying passion for art. Explore the neighborhoods of New York and San Fransisco, hear the story of how Alexandra’s father made the news as a judge, and listen about her quitting a civil law firm when she still had $75,000 in student debt. Also, there’s a great movie idea, ripe for the licensing. Take notice of some fascinating overlaps between these two women’s lives, even with such a Black and white contrast between them. Be sure to return next week when Alexandra and Lenya switch roles, and Lenya discusses her background and upbringing. -- Please **rate and review** this podcast if you enjoyed it; they greatly helps new listeners see this podcast is worth their time. You can find Women Bridging the Gap on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-bridging-the-gap/id1521503012) and [Podchaser](https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/women-bridging-the-gap-1304390). **We want to hear from you!** Let us know how you’re speaking about these issues with your friends. **Let us know what topics you want to hear!** Email us at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) You can find us at: [WomenBridgingtheGap.com](https://womenbridgingthegap.com) You can find Lenya at: Instagram - [@Lenya_ goddess_ that_bitch](https://www.instagram.com/lenya_goddess_that_bitch) You can find Alexandra at: Instagram - [@a_xandra17](https://www.instagram.com/a_xandra17) and [@thewritingleap](https://www.instagram.com/thewritingleap) This podcast was edited by Brendan Hutchins from Podcast Advocate. Go to [PodcastAdvocate.Network](http://PodcastAdvocate.Network) or find him on [Twitter @PodcastAdvocate](https://twitter.com/podcastadvocate) to learn more. ...
00:35:17
Episode 4
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August 05, 2020
Growth, Fear, Cancel Culture
How terrifying is it to put your whole heart and soul out for everyone to listen to and judge, especially around topics of politics and race, in these ultra-charged times? Lenya and Alexandra have a meta discussion about the actual podcast itself and their fears of making such an open and vulnerable project. That discussion of fear leads into the second topic of cancel culture. Does one’s race or generation determine how they feel about cancel culture? Should everyday people and non-celebrities be canceled for things they did 30, or even 10 years ago? How do you know if someone has put in the work to grow and change… and how do they know they need to put in the work to grow and change if they don’t get canceled? Listen in for these discussions and more. ### Sources: [Getty Images statement on Black Lives Matter,](http://press.gettyimages.com/black-lives-matter/) [Rachel Cargle, ](https://rachel-cargle.com/the-great-unlearn/) [President Obama’s growth on marriage equality](https://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/politics/obama-same-sex-marriage/index.html) -- **Want to talk about this with your friends? Use our conversation prompts to get you going:** 1. What do you fear most when speaking about race? 2. Do you ever censor yourself because you are afraid of backlash? 3. Do you think people should be credited for their evolution on an issue? If so, how should those people communicate or show that evolution? If you have evolved on a particular issue, do you fear explaining your evolution and being “canceled” for it? Why? 4. Where do you think forgiveness comes into play in our current ultra-charged times? -- Please **rate and review** this podcast if you enjoyed it; they greatly helps new listeners see this podcast is worth their time. You can find Women Bridging the Gap ...
00:38:31
Episode 3
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July 29, 2020
The Interracial Friendship Gap
Can Black women and white women have deep and authentic friendships? What are the stumbling blocks? Lenya and Alexandra share how many friends of other races they have. And then they push one another—how close are they? Friends or mere acquaintances? Together, they explore how deeper friendships might be formed and what the realities are for women today who need safe spaces to restore. ### Sources: [Melinda Anderson, The Atlantic, When White Children and Black Children Grow Apart,](https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/06/interracial-friendships-fade/486902/) [Kim McLarin, The Washington Post, Can Black Women and White Women be True Friends?,](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/29/can-black-women-white-women-be-true-friends/) [https://www.thoughtco.com/how-race-influences-friendship-2834745](https://www.thoughtco.com/how-race-influences-friendship-2834745) [https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_to_foster_interracial_friendship_in_schools](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_ways_to_foster_interracial_friendship_in_schools) [https://namp.americansforthearts.org/namp/get-smarter/resources/how-navigating-white-spaces-can-exhaust-you](https://namp.americansforthearts.org/namp/get-smarter/resources/how-navigating-white-spaces-can-exhaust-you) This episode was inspired, in part, by: [The Swirl Suite, https://www.swirlsuite.com/](https://www.swirlsuite.com/), Racism in the Wine Industry -- ### Want to talk about this with your friends? Use our conversation prompts to get you going: 1. Why do you think white women often say they have friendships with Black women, while Black women often feel acquaintanceship? 2. What is the level of friendship that you have with your Black friends? Do you talk about race? Do you talk about the Black Experience? What is the level of friendship you have with your white friends? Do you talk about race? The Black Experience? 3. What constitutes Allyship in the White community and why do a lot of progressive white people not have Black friends? 4. When having a party do you ever think about how your Black friends or non Black friends of Color are going to socialize and commune with others? 5. Black people often navigate White space, do you think White people can navigate Black spaces - ie get an invite to the Cookout? 6. Do you think that white feminism has a role in the complicated issue of trust in interracial female friendships? 7. Do you think interracial friendships that begin ...
00:33:39