Courageous Voice

“It's not that you have to buy a bunch of fancy crystals or, activate the chakra. You could do all that, but at any moment can be a ritual.” - Katherine Newell Okoji Meet Katherine Newell Okoji, also known as the minister of love in the house. SHe is a ritual crafter. She is a spiritual leader, a speaker, a wife, a mom and interfaith minister, and she is a singer who started five vocal jazz groups! Join us for this sacred time where we discuss: - How ritual can change your life - Making magic with intentions - Power of Surrender - Integrating belief and faith traditions - Decolonizing our spiritual practices - Rebirthing the voice - Journaling You can keep in touch with Katherine at [minister.of.love](http://minister.of.love) on Instagram or on the web at https://www.katherinenewell.com/ and be sure to rate, subscribe and share.

"And so we adults have to participate...there's no separatist movement for children. What then becomes complicated about children's liberation is that adults have to be working for our own liberation as well. " Meet Rebecca Stevens Walter. She is a mom, a pastor, coach, wife, an intergenerational worship creator, musician, and children's liberation theologian inspiring liberation for all generations. Join us for this super informative conversation about accessibility in church spaces, specifically for children. Plus we get an audible "glimpse" at For People Media Ministries, her new digital platform that streams exclusively progressive Christian content.  In this episode we chat about: - Relocating and rebirth after divorce - transitioning into ministry - Intergenerational Worship - Accessibility in churches - Finding a spiritual life on the internet - For People Media ministries Keep in touch with Rebecca online and check out her music and ministry at https://www.rebeccastevenswalter.com/ You can also follow her on IG and TikTok @anewrebecca or on YouTube @rebeccastevenswalter. Stay informed about For People through  https://forpeople.media/ or IG @forpeoplemediaministries. 

“The work is not about the virtuosity of the ability of the player. It's about the virtuosity of the mind.” - Charles Vincent Burwell Meet Charles Vincent Burwell, the ultimate multi-hyphenate. He’s a composer, writer, producer, educator, vocalist, performer, dancer, world traveler, multi instrumentalist…and Skateboarder. Meet us in this conversation filled with story, humor, and candor as we talk about the many dimensions of artistic greatness and how becoming a multi-hyphenate has helped him build his creative career. In this episode we chat about: how to maintain a career in the arts today Being a multi-hyphenate pushing through creative adversity Dimensions of artistic “greatness” Continuing to learn and grow as an artist Redefining talent Keep in touch with Charles at www.charlesvincentburwell.com and follow him on Instagram @thelifeof_vince. Keep posted on his latest musicals at www.burwellandsasser.com. You can also find him at www.thecleveragency.com.

 “And he just reached out and touched my hand and he goes, the world needs transgender ministers. And I was like, wow.” - Rev. Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes Meet Rev. Yolanda - trans femme, gender queer, actor, singer, songwriter, award winning performance artist, interfaith minister, and co-founder of a spiritual happening called Church with a Two Drink Minimum. Step into this joyful and authentic conversation that shares the story of Rev. Yolanda’s journey in claiming her trans femme identity as a sacred music minister. She tells her story through her spiritual practices, song, ministry, cabaret and theater with a passion to spread the word that spirituality belongs to everyone. In this episode we talk about: Personal evolution Claiming and reclaiming trans identity Interfaith and Non-dual communities Self love Queer theology Journaling through Songwriting A Course in Miracles Tradition and truth Plus, you’re in for a special treat! Rev. Yolanda shares a beautiful song, live, just for you, entitled, Love Divine. You can stay in touch with Rev. Yolanda on Facebook and YouTube - facebook.com/revyolanda and youtube.com/revyolanda. You can also hear music, get links to film and video, and stay current with her theater piece at www.yolanda.net. 

Ingrid Marcroft “Life doesn't make sense if I'm not helpful.” Ingrid Marcroft Meet Ingrid. Yogi, wife, mom, singer, creator, Reiki master and co-owner of Upper West Side Yoga Studio. She's also an interfaith minister and considers herself a wellness tour guide. Join us in this beautiful, vulnerable, and often poetic conversation about living a life of service and the challenges that come along the way. There’s tons of practical learning and a few practices you can incorporate into your daily living as well. Sensitivity Warning: Ingrid shares her abortion story early in this episode and also mentions miscarriage In this episode we discuss: Holistic lifestyle changes Yoga staying present to your feelings Being a new mom and a new business owner Abortion and miscarriage The evolution of a marriage Keep in touch with Ingrid and Upper West Side Yoga at uwsyoga.com.

“Your part of finding your voice is to be around others who are practicing sharing theirs.” - Anana Johari Harris Parris Warning: This episode contains a traumatic birth story.  Meet Anana, self care and community activist, mom, dancer, writer, content creator and founder and CEO of the Self Care Agency and the Sister Care Alliance. She is also the co-founder of the Wellness and Justice Group and the author of an amazing wealth of wisdom entitled Self Care Matters: A Revolutionary’s Approach. This conversation is full of gems so listen with your pens notebooks ready as we discuss self care and strategies for wellness. In this conversation we chat about: Self care as a form of social justice Participation vs perfection Being in proximity to what you need Knowing the difference between needs and wants Finding community in sisterhood Speaking up for yourself   Keep in touch with Anana and get more info on her workshops, books, consultations, and more at selfcareagency.com as well as ananajohari.com. Follow her personal journey on IG @ananajohariharrisparris #selfcarerevolution #needsand wants #communityofsisters #selfcareagency #strategicwellness #artisticselfcare

“and the reason…that I left my career even at a high point to be a yogi and then to teach and what has led me beyond that to where I am now was because - the hole from what was not enough began to get filled by studying spiritual values and how to activate them.” - JaiShree devi dasi aka Deborah Dow-Spielman Listen in on a chat with my longtime friend JaiShree devi dasi aka Deborah Dow-Spielman, mom, wife, Ascension Coach, Author, and a life-long Singer and Musician. She is the Creator of Soul Mapping Matrix, a digital course on creating sacred space and staying sovereign, as well as the Founder and Lead Educator of the Soul Culture Yoga School. Her mission is to share ancient wisdom, hold space and engage her clients in a co-creative process of experiencing the light of their own Truth. In this episode we chat about: Yoga Career Shifts and Reidentification Devotional practice Pain and healing Soul mapping You can keep in touch with Deb via her website at jaishreeyoga.com/ or on instagram @JaiShreeYogaOfficial. She is also on Facebook @JaiShreeYoga, and is always sharing content and blogs, stories and videos. #soulmapping #bhaktiyoga #devotionalpractice

“Start it and solve the problem on the way.” - Astrid Aichinger, The Mousauerin Meet Astrid. Blogger, chef, farmer, and communications maven. She's also a singer, a culture creator, a lifestyle lover and the owner of the Mosauerei, a farm shop in Austria as well as the Mosauerhof. In this conversation we get to know more about Astrid, what it means to be The Mosauerin, and we also get tips on starting a new business, trying new things and being true to ourselves. In this podcast we chat about: starting a new business saying yes trying new things inheriting the farm the Innviertel (a traditional Austrian region southeast of the Inn river in Upper Austria) Knowing where our influence lies Keep in touch with Astrid and read her blog at https://mosauerin.at/. She can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and on YouTube @mousauerin #farming #mousau #mosauerin #sayyes #justdoit #agriculturalgrants #connectdotfaith #iamchandarule #innviertel #oberoesterreich

“…if someone can own their vulnerability and know they're going to be okay, just try to step in a little, to be curious about the things that are holding them back, there's going to be answers on the other side.” -Jen Aks Meet Jen. Mother, dancer, performance artist and educator. She's an embodiment coach who leads folks in an empowering, mindset shifting somatic practice through movement and gesture that facilitates inner healing called the Power of Gesture. Check out this beautiful conversation on vulnerability and the many ways we learn, heal and connect with others through movement and story. In this episode we discuss: Kinesthetic learning Communicating through dance The Power of Gesture Moving through shame and trauma Somatic movement The power of being witnessed Connect with Jen on her website, www.jenaks.com or www.thepowerofgesture.com to find out more about the Power of Gesture, Herstory galleries, and workshops. She’s also on Instagram @thepowerofgesture and on Facebook, Herstories_told #jenaks #nationaldanceinstitute #healingdance #somaticmovement #powerofgesture #kinecticlearning

"I feel that where my healing has come from is the ability to love every iteration of who I am and who I have been." -Natasha L. Robinson, Esquire Meet Natasha, criminal defense attorney, public defender, a professor, writer, educator, a social justice activist. She's a speaker, she's a big sister and a mommy who has created a beautiful online platform called Legaleaze Please, that empowers the development of the comprehension of law through liberating language. She also describes herself as an evolution, a maker of excellence and errors with a ridiculous sense of humor. She can cry her eyes out. She can conduct choirs and still do the percolator. She embraces all of her love languages, she's healing, she's aware and she's here. Join us in this full, open, vulnerable, life giving conversation about learning, healing and loving ourselves through transition and finding the best love there is…the one that resides within. In this conversation we chat about: Self healing, intuition and love languages Looking back to retrieve what you need to go forward Authenticity Motherhood Tools for self discovery Career change and entrepreneurship the Law Note from Chanda - "I'm so happy to share this conversation with you.  We had a few audio issues, but there were too many gens not to share it anyway. I hope you are inspired as much as I am by this episode with Natasha.  Enjoy!" Get in touch with Natasha and the Legaleaze Please community through linktree via Natasha L Robinson, Esquire. You can also find more info at www.legaleazeplease.com or on, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn, @legaleazeplease #selfhealing #sankofa #publicdefender #chicagopublicschools #careerchange #selfawareness

“I also have something in mind to bring change into this world in any way I can with my music…I don't know where I see myself in five years, but I would like to keep doing music and writing and, and putting out songs and hopefully I can create a change, even a small one.” - Emma Robatjazy The following episode with Persian singer, songwriter Emma Robatjazy was recorded in February of this year 2023. At that time people around the world were taking the streets in protest against the Iranian regime, demanding justice, freedom and civil rights for women after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was arrested in Tehran for “improperly” wearing her hijab and then beaten to death while she was in prison in September 2022. This episode is about awareness. And it is also about hope and a desire to use art and music for change. Since the beginning of this revolution, hundreds have been killed, thousands arrested and even executed. Despite these circumstances there are women like Emma, who continue to speak out, engaging in creative dissent to spread the word, rally the international community and build solidarity. You can connect with Emma on Instagram @iweirddo and listen to her music on all music platforms. Check her out on YouTube @ErikEmma to hear “Woman Life Freedom” which is mentioned in this episode. Links to her new single “Run Away with You” are in her Instagram bio.

"...the goal is not to write the greatest thing that's ever been created, which maybe my goal was that for a while, but now it's like a more realistic present goal of like, let me just create something that is right now that is helping me get to the next level.Because if I don't do that, I'm never gonna move, I'm never gonna evolve.." - Ike Sturm   Meet Ike Sturm, critically acclaimed bassist, composer, band leader, father, a visionary, world traveler and cross country ski racer. Listen in on this life giving conversation on creative evolution, developing new projects, and building supportive communities.   Connect with Ike on his website, ikesturm.com. There you can find links to music, video, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Bandcamp and iTunes.

"...In order to be our most fruitful, productive, selves that we were created to be, we have to be authentic artistically to those things that were placed in us." - Hamilton Hardin Meet Hamilton - musician, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist.. A man of faith, a father, and a musical genius. Join us in this open, and honest chat about authenticity through vulnerability, honesty, prayer and self-awareness.  In this episode we discuss: - Going beyond expectation - Authenticity, honesty and self-awareness - Developing your own sound - Focusing on Feeling - Faith and the artistic journey Check out Hamilton's latest releases, "Just Wanna Say" and "Pray," both available on all the digital distributors and follow him on Instagram, @HamiltonHarden.

"...It is my hope that something that is said in these interviews will inspire you. I come across so many people...that have so much on their hearts that they want to share with the world. And there's always so many things that give the illusion of standing in the way of getting those things accomplished. And so, I hope that this can be an inspiration to someone to start to push through and navigate through to do it anyway..." - Chanda Rule    The first season on The Courageous Voice podcast is wrapped up with a short chat with show host, Chanda Rule. Tune in to hear what inspired her to begin the podcast and a few life experiences she calls Courageous.   Stay in touch with Chanda on Instagram or Facebook, @iamchandarule, or visit her on the web at www.chandarule.com or www.thecourageousvoice.com

"...when you exercise courage, you also open up lanes and spaces for other people to feel safe as well." -Dr. Sarah Webb Meet Dr. Sarah Webb, colorism expert, writer, media creator. A world traveler, an Auntie, and the founder and owner of Colorism Healing llc, which is a global leader in raising awareness, shifting attitudes, and taking action to dismantle colorism. Enjoy our conversation on bravery, healing, and choosing to share our personal truths and values with the world. In this episode we chat about: -Colorism -Healing trauma and relationships -Writing and the Healing process -Exercising bravery and choosing to go against the grain -Setting boundaries and dealing with push back -Navigating the "spiral staircase" of the Healing journey -How to spread awareness about colorism Get more content on colorism and be in touch with Dr. Webb on LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube at colorismhealing. You can also find more information about her organization and about colorism on her website, www.colorismhealing.com.

"...the truth is that I do write music for one person only to please. I always tell that to everybody....because the art I'm creating is for me, and I hope other people enjoy it." - Gene Pritsker Enjoy this frank, honest, sometimes humorous, always inspiring conversation with composer, guitarist, rapper, teacher, producer Gene Pritkser. He's also known as a mischief-maker and a cultural blender who has written over 800 compositions. Listen in as Gene opens up about his early life and inspirations, his musical journey as a new music composer, and staying grounded in his artistic vision. In this episode we chat about: Doing what you love Becoming a "finisher" of projects Inspirations for music creation Pushing artistic boundaries Music making as a model for human relations Creating art for yourself first Film orchestration You can find Gene, his music, and lots of videos online at www.genepritsker.com or on Spotify and Facebook. If you want to learn more about traditional and folk music from around the world, check out the website Gene mentioned in this episode -www.folkcloud.com. --  Today is the day you vow to follow your heart and not your fear. If only it were that easy! The Courageous Voice podcast chronicles international artists, creatives, plus a handful of scientists, and their stories of fear, courageousness and creativity. Hosted by singer, storyteller and self-proclaimed joy spreader, Chanda Rule, The Courageous Voice inspires us to share our voices courageously in spite of our fears through courageous conversation and community.

CW: Sexual abuse "Someone has to do something. And so I started devoting all my time to try to understand what causes this, how prevalent is this, how do people heal from this? And most importantly, how can we stop this? So my entry before I even got to sacred sexuality, spirituality, and sexuality, I was actually focused primarily on the side of sexual abuse, awareness, and prevention..." - DeShannon Bowens Fall into this beautiful conversation with DeShannon Barnes-Bowens, author, psychotherapist, Ifa priestess, interfaith minister, and founder of ILERA, an organization that focuses on sexuality and spirituality, intimate partner violence, vicarious trauma, and wellness. Join us as we talk about how she found her life-work and how she brings all of herself to it's expression. In this episode we discuss: -African indigenous wisdom -Sacred sexuality -Intimate partner violence -Healing sexual trauma -Revisiting and revising previously completed projects -Interfaith dialogue -Vicarious trauma We also shouted out a few great books: Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, by adrienne maree brown; Push, by Sapphire; and Hush Hush: An African American Family Breaks Their Silence on Sexuality & Sexual Abuse, by DeShannon Bowens You can find DeShannon at www.ilera.com, on Facebook @ilera_ny or on Twitter @OmiFasina

  "With every art work I make, I start with my own story, I start with my own experience, but at the end of the day, it's part of my healing journey..." - Abiona Esther Ojo Meet Esther. Vienna based, award winning visual artist and photographer whose work is based on identity and representation. Get inspired by our conversation about her artistic process and the beauty of expressing the verbally inexpressible through visual art.   In this episode we chat about How community affects artistic process The artistic process: from imagination to visual creation Processing emotion, grief, and life change through art creation Documenting Black hair styles, hair care, and policy through visual art Diversity into the Arts spaces in Europe (Austria)   To see her art work, simply Google! Abiona Esther Ojo.  --   Today is the day you vow to follow your heart and not your fear. If only it were that easy! The Courageous Voice podcast chronicles international artists, creatives, plus a handful of scientists, and their stories of fear, courageousness and creativity. Hosted by singer, storyteller and self-proclaimed joy spreader, Chanda Rule, The Courageous Voice inspires us to share our voices courageously in spite of our fears through courageous conversation and community.          

“Creativity is a spiritual act…” -Debbie Bronkema   Meet Debbie. Pastor, writer, author, and worship leader of connect.faith, an online faith community that explores questioning and growing at the intersections of creativity, spirituality and justice. Enjoy our conversation on building online communities, connecting through creativity and writing, and her new book, “Writing Toward Wholeness: Exploring creativity and spirituality”.   In this episode we chat about Connect.Faith Finding sacred community through creativity Building community online Creative writing as a spiritual practice Intentionality Using fiction to tell our own stories Starting your first book   Connect with Debbie at www.debbiebronkema.com and on Facebook and Instagram @debbiebronkema. You can also connect with her through Pleasantville Presbyterian Church where she is a pastor, http://www.pvillepresby.org, or at connect.faith. 

"The point is to aim towards perfectionism, it's not to actually reach it...why would anyone expect to be perfect at something they can't do and succeed straight away?" - Osian Roberts   Settle in to this open, honest, sometimes funny, and often vulnerable conversation about living a creative life with Osian Roberts, saxophonist, composer and arranger, as we chat about his journey from visual art, to acting, to music -- and finding the point of it all, through success, failure, and the steps in between.   In this episode we talk about: - the creative life - challenges of perfectionism - talent, skills and hard work - Self learning - fearing failure - choosing the creative path you love vs the one you are naturally good at - finding creative balance   Connect with Osian on his website, www.osianrobertsjazz.com You can also find him on Spotify, Facebook @osianroberts, and Instagram @osianrobertstenor -- Today is the day you vow to follow your heart and not your fear. If only it were that easy! The Courageous Voice podcast chronicles international artists, creatives, plus a handful of scientists, and their stories of fear, courageousness and creativity. Hosted by singer, storyteller and self-proclaimed joy spreader, Chanda Rule, The Courageous Voice inspires us to share our voices courageously in spite of our fears through courageous conversation and community.