The Positive Identity Podcast

It's the Tuesday after EDC. Stephen had just come back from the weekend of a lifetime. A week that changed how he saw the world and how he saw everyone in it.Ron of course has been in this world, for a good long 30 years. He knows the score. He knows that look in Stephen's face. He knows what it's like to hit the next level and go to the other side.Anyone who knows rave culture knows what we're talking about. How no matter your race or identity, the "experience" can take you to the next level.And in this podcast, we go to the next level."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

In the days and hours after the Buffalo Massacre, the pre-planned episode with Jeff Keller takes on a much more introspective and serious turn. Keller, bi-racial who lived through history and family strife growing up in America. Ron, dealing with the reality that this is happening and people like him are the target. Stephen, thinking deeply about how we need to radically change what we're doing to push back against this.Thinking positively and constructively is the name of the game for the Positive Identity podcast. But here... here they must reckon with history and an America where this is happening right now in 2022. Then they must see if this is who we are, and if it is even possible to change. The answer is exactly what you think. What you used to think“Positive Identity: It’s another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone.”

Stephen and Ron, the partners in justice, are at it again; this time having fun talking to Ken Nwadike, also known as the Free Hugs Guy. Ken Nwadike is a social media viral star and legend in peace activism in the United States. Ken talks about how his love for running and the tragedy of the Boston Marathon Bombing led to the Free Hugs movement and how it evolved as racial tensions in America grew. Free Hugs went viral in the digital and real-world space by valuing real-life experiences with other people.We are a multi-racial society, yet racism and hate are still being taught in the United States. The Us vs. Them Mentality has split the United States in two. It is difficult to unify the two United States of Americas and end the cancer of racism and hate because of how deeply rooted this mentality is. Sadly, sometimes it takes a tragedy in order for us to realize our hate is superficial and our love and humanity for others are at the cores of our souls. However, love is stronger than hate, love is stronger than tragedy, and education is the way forward to unifying America once again.Like and Subscribe to the Podcast as we’d love to have you along on this journey with us.“Positive Identity: It’s another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone.”

Stephen and Ron speak to prolific author Dr. Tara Green about self-love, putting community first, and telling stories.Dr. Tara Green came from rural Louisiana and explains the calling of a writer to put other people first in their stories in order to give them a voice. Writers don’t have to be in the spotlight; they put others in the spotlight through their stories.One of Dr. Green’s latest works, “Love, Activism, and the Respectable Life of Alice Dunbar-Nelson“ celebrates a bisexual Black woman’s life as a writer and an activist for women’s and African American’s rights. Dr. Green’s journey of writing about Alice Dumbar Nelson spanned ten years, and she connected with her subject in ways she never thought possible.  Alice Dunbar-Nelson leaned in and on her community, using education and the media available to her to “Lift as We Climb;” meaning lifting others up as we, ourselves, also progress. As an activist, Alice Dunbar-Nelson understood the United States of America stands for equality, and can always work to change for the better. She used the legal and media system to demand rights for women and African Americans.Black women activists like Alice Dunbar-Nelson had complicated lives that they enjoyed. Finding joy in relationships, speaking to crowds, nature. Her second book, “See Me Naked: Black Women Defining Pleasure During the Interwar Era” came out just recently about finding joy and pleasure in relationships through the eyes of powerful Black women during the Interwar Era. For Black women today, there are still systemic challenges in America when trying to achieve the American Dream. However, by studying the past lives of powerful Black women, Dr. Tara Green points out Black women today and other women of color can use their gifts and perseverance to push past the challenges within the system. While achieving greatness, now is the time to take action to advocate for ourselves and others; “Lift as We Climb.”Like and Subscribe to the Podcast as we'd love to have you along on this journey with us."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

It's a new year, new approach and new way of thinking for 2022.But it's the past that defines the good we can do. And last year, the final podcast for Ron & Stephen was them talking about what they were thankful for. In an end of the year saw saw record coronavirus cases and feeling like 2021 was a F$^%ing mess, Ron and Stephen spent time trying to ask themselves what was good. What where they thankful for. What made them happy. Happiness, and how we find happiness, informs our diverse and dynamic identities and in this podcast episode, Stephen and Ron talk about that happiness that helps define them.In 2021 there were things to be thankful for. In 2022, we can make even more things to be thankful for.Like and Subscribe to the Podcast as we'd love to have you along on this journey with us."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

Ron and Stephen drop it the big one on us today. As in drop the fact that EDM culture and rave culture are both things are hugely impactful to race and identity in America.Ron is a pro at this, raving since the 90s. Stephen is the new kid in town, tearing it up in the post COVID world and about to head to EDC to make memories to last a lifetime.It's a world of joy, dance and happiness... and in this world Ron and Stephen discuss what the rave culture and EDM community has done for race relations. Then talk about how that environment can help inform how we can make a more unified and loving society.Also... you're gonna learn a little bit more about Ron and Stephen today then you could have ever imagined."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

The article has DROPPED!Here it is. https://www.dailynews.com/2021/09/23/can-positive-storytelling-improve-race-relations-this-la-based-collective-thinks-so/This is a seminal moment. People are looking at Positive Identity. The Media Machine is online... and Ron and Stephen now have to digest."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

Last week Ron and Stephen were just working away at little ol Positive Identity, hoping they could make a difference in their own small way. Their Outreach Director Ben told them this reporter wanted to speak with them. Thinking it was someone just fishing in the water to see if this was something interesting, Stephen figured he would get Directors Leonora and David in on the call in hopes that they three could give a larger context to the work being done.Little did they know this "short call" was actually a large scale and comprehensive interview with a journalist for the OC Register on how Positive Identity worked, its long term plan, what the organization is trying to do and how it will succeed. In a flash Stephen, Ron, Leonora and David were having their professional photos taken and a big story was being written about Positive Identity.Ron and Stephen download about this turn of events. Exposure is coming... and what does that all mean."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

While the State of the Union address tales place in January/February, after the "Summer of Love 2021", it's time to see where we're at as a nation.For Ron & Stephen, the fun and joy of summer now turns to the seriousness and edge of fall. COVID is on a rampage, the Supreme Court is dropping the hammer, Afghanistan is dominating the news and America continues through the uncertainty of this current era.But there is optimism in the air if not a major question that Ron & Stephen must face... and that is when people refuse to see the same reality... how can they ever truly come together."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

As we are currently going through global pandemic, we are also simultaneously going through another epidemic: homelessness. But what is our country doing in terms of helping those without homes? What can we individually do to help? Jon Linton, founder of I have a Name and Let's Be Better Humans, has taken matters into his own hands.Jon shares the various ways he has impacted the homelessness community, spreading hope to those who have expressed that they feel invisible and dehumanized.  Jon shares his journey of becoming an advocate for the unhoused, and how it all started with a photograph."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

David Shakelford has a story to tell about injustice. Except that this injustice took place before cameras and the internet were a thing. So how do you bring to life a story, about a military mission and exercise that went wrong, killed many soldiers, many soldiers of color, when there wasn't anything around to record it? For David... it was to recreate this world so people could see it with their own eyes.For Ron and Stephen, focusing on the injustices of the past, and ultimately learning from them is the great question they are trying to figure out. How can we look back to allow us to understand how to go forward. In this podcast episode, they see how people like David are doing just that. Then ultimately they both learn from David's play what they can do for real to make sure that injustice never happens again."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

"Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."What does it mean to have an identity... and have a morality attached to it? For Ani Zonneveld, this was a question she was asking herself in the Muslim faith. While much of the discussion globally has taken to a turn to looking at the lens of Islam conservatively, she felt that it could have gone in another direction. And her direction she found was fraught with danger... and clarity.For Ron and Stephen, many people attach morality to their racial identity. What does it mean to be Black. To be White. And so forth. As this question takes on one of deep importance, as many people these days more and more attach their identity to their cultural and moral choices. Speaking to Ani, maybe she can give a glimpse into what it means to be you... and how you act as you.

Alex Lui is releasing a movie,  A Sexplination, and he's doing his media circuit to drive attention for the movie. Ron and Stephen are intrigued by Alex, his Asian American story in the middle of #StopAsianHate, and his story of what sexuality means in today's society. It's a charged subject to be sure, but one that must be talked about. How do race and sex intersect, and how do they effect each other. Even further, as human beings what is "good sex" and are we as a society doing it right. Ron, being a member of the LGBT community who survived the homophobia of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, definitely has a lot to say on this subject. Stephen of course, is perfectly fine prodding them both to get to the real truth behind it all."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

In this episode, Stephen and Ron discuss the imminent release of Step1 for 12 Steps for America.  With the video set to launch, the question arises, how will people react. For Ron, this is a very personal story and journey. He is essentially taking his own life, and the darkness he experienced through addiction, and tackling one of America's most controversial subjects through that lens, race and discrimination.How will people react? How will America react. They discuss."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

One year ago, deep in the heart of the Pandemic, one month after George Floyd and the protests after changed the world, with the 2020 presidential election kicking into gear, Stephen and Ron were laying the foundation for their podcast and speaking to guests for the first time.After speaking to Gang Interventionist Alfred Lomas, another gang interventionist, Tommie T-Top Rivers, came onto the podcast to speak with Ron and Stephen.This podcast didn't go the usual route. While the team spoke about how race impacted the world of gang violence and how we can learn about how race and gang membership have similarities, Tommie took the podcast in another direction. It was time to speak about George Floyd, race in America and how both sides were getting it wrong. A year later, this podcast is being posted for the first time to serve as a time capsule into a turbulent American moment and how Positive Identity, Ron and Stephen grew from it."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

With the imminent release of a wave of content for Positive Identity, Stephen and Ron reflect on the state of affairs for the world.How do you remain constructive in the face of a society that is tearing itself apart? How do you find hope in the work we're doing and the people who are trying to make it happen.There is always a way... but how?"Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

THE POSITIVE IDENTITY PODCAST SERIES IS BACK!After a two month break to build up episodes in planning for a major launch of original content, we took a break.But now we're back! When it comes to telling inspiring stories of people of all races doing good things for each other and America, we couldn't stay away. Today we talk with IamFaith, who is on the hunt to find homes for Queer and Transgender Youth. For Ron this was an inspiring story, of someone who dealt with incredible hardship and is now finding the time and energy to help those that are less fortunate. Anyone who does that is worth listening to and through IAmFaith's journey, we learn more about what it takes to make the world around us better."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

Michael Novick has been fighting against racism since the 60s. A living legend, he's the owner of Antiracist.org and has been all over the board when it comes to the pursuit of equality.As Michael joins Ron & Stephen, his wealth of knowledge and history provide and incredible view into where we are today, and how we can move forward as a society. Even further, Michael shows that it's not enough to be anti-racist, we have to be for things. And being for something is what Positive Identity is all about."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

Ever feel like you're trapped in your career, your life and you look at the world and want to make a change?Ever feel like you're not good enough, the world has been filled with too much dysfunction and that you're too small to do it.Jonaral Martin once felt like that. But he decided to make a change. To make a change to do something truly good for society.  In this episode we follow Jonaral's journey from unknown actor to running Hope, Healing and Love to learn how we can make a change in the world. No matter who we are, or what we do."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."

Positive Identity's mission is to see the good in everyone when it comes to race. Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latin, Native, Mixed and White. We believe in the value you have and what you bring to America.Yet Asian hate has skyrocketed recently statistically, and with the Atlanta shootings and the constant videos of Asian-Americans being attacked, at Positive Identity Ron & Stephen want to address it. For many of the Asian community, they feel alone and isolated by a society that has let anti-asian violence and bigotry fester and finally society is doing something about it. For Ron & Stephen, they do what they do best. By talking about the good the Asian community has done, how Asian-Americans have inspired and helped them, and how we can be of service and help our friends in the Asian community.These monsters won't define us. We won't let them. Instead we'll see the best of each other and take action to make us greater."Positive Identity: It's another week where we tell you inspiring and positive stories of people of different races doing good things for each other and the world. Then from there, we become better people and learn more how to make the world better for everyone."