Welcome to the Season 2 Finale Episode!

In this episode, we sit down with Miranda Encina, a Two-Spirit/Queer Xicanx advocate, healer, and artist with Indigenous roots in Apache and Navajo ancestry. Miranda shares their journey of community-centered healing, exploring the intersections of trauma, resilience, and the transformative power of art. From their work in survivor advocacy and Indigenous healing circles to founding Yolia Creations, Miranda offers rich insights on building connections, fostering resilience, and creating spaces for empowerment within marginalized communities. Tune in to hear their inspiring perspectives on honoring lived experiences and cultivating community strength through creativity and advocacy.

Miranda Encina (They/them/theirs, She/her/hers) is a Two-Spirit/Queer Xicanx, born and raisedin Boulder Colorado with Indigenous roots from Apache and Navajo ancestry.Miranda graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Colorado Boulder double majoring in Ethnic Studies and Sociology. Their research focused on intergenerational resistance and complex trauma within Xicana/Indigenous communities. Miranda’s passion is to center lived experiences of those with intersecting identities through connections and knowledge sharing on individual, collective and systemic levels. Miranda’s lived and professional experience include Trauma Informed, survivor defined advocacy, volunteer and intern management, Shelter program Director, Chair of a Queer Trans People of Color leadership Cohort, facilitation of Indigenous Healing circles, Child Protective Services, training and technical assistance on intersections of oppression and domestic violence and has experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Miranda collaborates with community and system based organizations on all levels to identify, create and implement shifts that validate, humanize, and minimize (re)traumatization within our communities. Miranda’s experience with healing personally and in community prompted the start of Yolia Creations. Yolia Creations is rooted in providing unique handcrafted leather earrings, sterling silver necklaces, inspirational stamped bracelets/rings and art that centers healing, existence and connection. Yolia Creation signifies a connection that we are stronger as a community when we support each other and create connections to empower, resist and exist.

Social Media

Yolia Creations Website

Yolia Creations Instagram

Yolia Creations Facebook

E-mail (yolia.creations@gmail.com)

Other Announcements:

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We are excited for you to listen to what we have in store for you for season 3, which will be our last and final season!

The Strength in Solidarity Podcast team would also like to give a huge shout-out to the ⁠⁠Feedspot.com⁠⁠ team for ranking us as #3/10 ⁠⁠Top 10 American Psychological Association Podcasts on the web⁠⁠. Thank you so much for listening to our show and for your support. It means a lot to us.

In this episode, we met with Juan-Lorenzo Cruz, a Chief Engineer and Go-Go Dancer based in San Francisco. Juan-Lorenzo opens up about his life’s journey, discussing the rewards and challenges, and how he balances his professional responsibilities with vibrant personal passions. Tune in to hear his unique experiences and insights on body positivity, colorism, and queerness.

Juan-Lorenzo Cruz is the Chief Engineer at Hotel Caza, situated in Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco. While originally attending Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) he studied psychology and art. His move further south to Sonoma County is where he found his first substantial long term homosexual relationship, as well as the opportunity in which his current career is built. While his primary job takes up most of his time, he go-go dances weekends at various SF gay clubs, including The Eagle and Powerhouse. He enjoys snowboarding, dancing and finding new music, as well as spending time with friends catching up on films and eating good food.

Social Media

Instagram

Other Announcements:

The Strength in Solidarity Podcast team would also like to give a huge shout-out to the ⁠Feedspot.com⁠ team for ranking us as #3/10 ⁠Top 10 American Psychological Association Podcasts on the web⁠. Thank you so much for listening to our show and for your support. It means a lot to us.

In this episode, we met with Camilo Villa (he, they), a Colombian interdisciplinary artist and Spanish language educator based in the Bay Area (San Francisco). Camilo explores the intersection of art, education, and social justice, with a focus on the liberation of Queer Latinx communities and the evolution of gender-inclusive Spanish language curriculum. Tune in as he shares how his work challenges traditional language norms and promotes inclusivity in linguistic representation.

CAMILO VILLA holds an M.A. in Education for Equity & Social Justice from San Francisco State University and a B.F.A. in Individualized Studies with a minor in Social Action & Public Forms from the California College of the Arts.

Their art practice and educational research addresses the liberation of Queer Latinx communities, the violent erasure of social leaders in his home country Colombia, and the journey of Latin American migrants crossing the US-Mexico Border.

Camilo’s work has been exhibited at Senator Scott Wiener’s Office as part of the We Belong-Pertenecemos exhibit and at the SFMOMA Artists Gallery as part of the Hispanic Heritage exhibit. Their work has been featured in magazines, such as Bay Area Reporter, Voyage LA , NEWAGE, and Latin:SF.

Camilo builds intersectional spaces for learning by incorporating culturally and queerly responsive pedagogical models in his teaching practice.

Most recently, he published his master’s thesis titled Teaching Gender Inclusive Spanish: Advancing Pedagogy Towards Gender Equity on ProQuest. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a gender-inclusive Spanish language curriculum developed for 3rd-5th grade Spanish classes that employs the letter "e" to desexualize the masculine generic form. Fundamental to this approach is how pre-colonial indigenous gender systems advance the now contested need to eradicate sexist expressions in the Spanish language that has increasingly gained momentum in Latin America for the past decade.

Social Media

Linked IN

Instagram

Facebook

Camilo's Website

Upcoming Art Show at the Intersection for the Arts

September 21st and 22nd

Intersection for The Arts, Instagram

Other Announcements:

The Strength in Solidarity Podcast team would also like to give a huge shout-out to the Feedspot.com team for ranking us as #3/10 Top 10 American Psychological Association Podcasts on the web. Thank you so much for listening to our show and for your support. It means a lot to us.

In this episode, we met with Traci Faith Guw Thonalig Hughes Hamilton, an Arizona-based healer and advocate deeply rooted in Indigenous wisdom. With a diverse background, Traci embodies a commitment to holistic wellness and community empowerment. Traci's journey is a testament to ancestral healing traditions. Tune in as she shares insights on lifelong womb health, indigenous food practices, and community empowerment.

Traci Faith Guw Thonalig Hughes Hamilton is an Arizona based Licensed Massage Therapist, Indigenous Lactation Counselor, Womb worker, Full spectrum birth worker, Nutritional Consultant, Herbalist, and Traditional foods gatherer, single mom of two. Traci is of Mississippi Choctaw, Hiaki, adopted Tohono O’odham and of European descent.

A ceremonial wombyn who knows her journey of healing and helping others is her way of life, her strength. Traci has been involved with the Chukson (Tucson) community in many healing aspects.

The Desert Institute of the Healing Arts in Tucson was the beginning of her formal massage training in 1996. She spent over a decade with Miraval Life in Balance spa, all the while advocating for natural and indigenous Pre/post-natal care, as well as, involvement with Chukson (Tucson) chapter ICBLC events and breastfeeding advocacy.

Later, Traci spent four years with multi cultural indigenous high school, Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School teaching rainwater harvesting, traditional in ground gardening; planting with the moon and rain cycles, seed to plate style teaching and food prep.

Traci is a natural teacher and most at home teaching her community, friends and family the many benefits of Self~Care with indigenous geographical appropriate foods and healing ways. She wants her people to know by living with our indigenous foods bring back language and songs and revitalizes our spiritual natures by giving our human body what it needs to thrive.

Her informal and formal training is ongoing with family healers, ceremony, as well as the CEU state license requirements.

Traci’s specialty is lifelong womb health and vitality, abdominal therapy, breast/chest therapy and full spectrum birth work. Her passion for protecting families ties in very closely with the old healing ways of her teachers and elders. As a mother and knowledgeable community member she stays strong in outreach and knowledge sharing.

Traci continues to work on a sliding scale basis to make sure this important healing work is accessible. Her commitment is to honor her culture, be a strong community member and support a community of healthy warriors who step forward to make that effort for wellness.

In this episode, we met with Saahas Patil, an Indian singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. We discussed his journey of becoming a musician, his experiences of being a musician in the United States, and what inspires his music.

Saahas is a professional singer, songwriter and musician based in Los Angeles. He began singing at the age of 12 in middle school, in choirs and eventually moved to singing for a band. In 2009, he completed a Vocal Performance course at Nathaniel School of Music, after which he joined the band 'Allegro Fudge' as lead vocalist and songwriter. The band's first album 'Maximum City' received critical acclaim from media, both digital and print.

In 2015, Saahas moved to Los Angeles to study Vocal Performance at Musician's Institute (Hollywood). He was the recipient of 3 different scholarships and received a scholarship for a membership at The Recording Academy's Grammy-U Foundation. He began writing songs for producers and other artists, as well as writing and recording for his solo act as a singer-songwriter. Saahas has taught vocals, guitar and piano at low income schools and after-school programs, as well as music schools around Los Angeles.

He continues to teach vocals and guitar to students in Los Angeles, while also working on his A&R start-up 'Who Wrote That Song'. He is Apple certified in Logic Pro X, and uses Pro Tools to record, mix and master frequently. Saahas was awarded Best Alternative Artist, Best Alternative Song and Best Male Rock Artist at the 10th Annual Indie Music Channel Awards for his song 'California'. He has also sung on short films like Unreal Estate (2017) and Long Island Wolf (2016). He is currently a singer with Ben Mallare Entertainment and Bonnie Foster Productions and spends his weekends traveling and performing.

Social Media

Instagram: @saahas1

Spotify

YouTube

Facebook

Websites:

Saahaspatil.com

Canvas Rebel Interview

The Hindu Interview

⁠Indian Express Indulge Interview⁠

Bold Journey Interview

⁠Voyage LA Interview⁠

In this episode, we met with Hanif Fazal, who shared insights into his dedication to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and we delved into some captivating themes of his new book, "On Another World."

A nationally recognized facilitator, educator, speaker, and leadership coach, Hanif Fazal brings 20+ years of vision, expertise and commitment to creating more equitable and inclusive environments. When people are with Hanif, they

feel inspired, heard and can see possibilities in belonging in spaces they may have not been able to experience before. Hanif’s commitment to centering BIPOC voices is palpable - he truly cares about individuals and uses his own story to build authentic connections and share of himself.

In 2015, Hanif co-founded Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI), a DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) consultancy that provides adaptive, interactive learning to build DEI capacity centering BIPOC experiences. CEI has led over 115 organizations nationwide to integrate DEI principles and practices into all aspects of their culture and business systems so that staff and leadership are in deeper communication and trust with one another.

Contact information

Contact Hanif through the Center for Equity and Inclusion (https://ceipdx.com/).

Social Media

Instagram: @iamhaniffazal

Websites:

• Center for Equity and Inclusion: https://ceipdx.com/
• haniffazal.com 

Links to purchase An Other World:

Order on Amazon
Order on Barnes and Noble
Order at Powell's City of Books

Recent Interview:

King TV
KATU TV

Welcome to our Season 2, Episode 1

We met with Dwayne Jackson also known as Deeslyrics to discuss his creative process for producing the podcast's introductory song and to learn more about his journey in different facets of life.

Dwayne Jackson is a single father of one 17-year-old son. He grew up in the Midwest, originating from Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin. Early on, he developed a passion for both sports and music, excelling in both as a young man. After completing high school, he enlisted in the army and became a biomedical technician, affording him opportunities to work around the globe.

The army introduced him to a different set of challenges, ultimately leading him to pursue further education in the fields of psychology and management. This decision stemmed from the leadership and motivational aspects he encountered during his military service. In 2010, he initiated a bachelor's program in psychology, progressing to a master's in business before enrolling in an MFT program.

Currently, he holds the position of Chief of Clinical Technologies at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. In this role, he oversees the division responsible for managing biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, asset management, clinical systems, contract management, and project management.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, he is the owner of the record label Shattered Dream. Through this venture, he produces and creates music, similar to the introductory song for the strength in solidarity podcast.

Links:

https://on.soundcloud.com/KZNXy

Welcome to the Season 1 Finale Episode!

This episode is hosted by our talented podcast interns, Alexyz Rios and Petra Zadroga, who are joined in conversation by the podcast hosts and producers Pooja Mamidanna and Dr. Donna Demanarig.

In this episode, we delve into the journey of creating the podcast our vision for it, and share some of our favorite moments from Season 1.

We are currently in the production phase of Season 2, and we eagerly anticipate releasing our episodes in November. Kindly stay tuned on our social media for more updates.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We are excited for you to listen to what we have in store for you for season 2.

Here is more information about our Task Force.

Dr. Cokley’s President-Elect Column:

http://division45.org/president-elects-column-s21/

Dr. Cokley’s Task Force Team:

toward-cross-racial-ethnic-solidarity-being-an-accomplice

Here are links to our social media for you to follow as well:

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/apadiv45_presidentialtaskforce/

TWITTER

https://twitter.com/APAdiv45_Cokley

TIK-TOK

https://www.tiktok.com/@apadiv45_cokley

YOUTUBE:

https://youtube.com/@APAdiv45_Cokley

LINKED IN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/apa-dr-cokley-s-presidential-task-force-1856a9266

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/Dr-Kevin-Cokleys-APA-Division-45-Presidential-Task-Force-114354464601529

In Solidarity, 

Pooja Mamidanna ( Task Force Executive Leadership, Podcast Co-Host/Producer and Social Media Branding)

Dr. Donna Demanarig (Co-Chair of Task Force and Podcast Co-Host/Producer)

Alexyz Rios & Petra Zadroga (Podcast Interns)