The Disruption Podcast

The Disruption podcast is focused on creating big, bold change - through the disruption of systems that cause harm to others and the institutions that support those systems and through disruption in your own personal life leading you to find pathways to your own purpose, freedom, and power to be fully you. We believe that disruption in these spaces activates transformational impact across society. I am Tracey Breeden, the host of the Disruption podcast. I am a queer activist, passionate about driving change, who will share personal stories of disruption with you and lead you through discussions with fellow disruptors, including other activists and advocates, leaders on the inside and outside of organizations, and notable friends and influencers - all with the hope to inspire and activate you towards the big, bold change that you want to see in yourself and in the world. I will dig deep into those personal stories and into pressing topics like creating safe spaces and belonging, advocating for social change through activism in the most difficult places, personal elevation and radical leadership through living authentically, and sex positivity. The truth is disruption of self and the systems that surround us is not easy, and often requires us to lay down our safety. It all begins with giving ourselves permission to take that first step into personal truth and power. Look around and know you are not alone. We are people from all walks of life on that journey with you. Get ready to disrupt! To find out more about Tracey and the passion and purpose behind the disruption message, check out traceybreeden.com. In the Contacts section, you can send us a note telling us about your own disruption story. Who knows … you may be our next influential guest!

35. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: Laying Down Your Safety in Activism with Calen Otto 07/23/2024

35. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: Laying Down Your Safety in Activism with Calen Otto In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, Tracey Breeden and Michelle Pelton delve into a conversation with Calen Ann Otto about the impact of laying down your safety in the name of justice. Calen expands on disruptive activism, sharing personal stories of protests and the camaraderie found within the movement. They also draw parallels between veganism and other social justice movements, such as feminism and LGBTQ+ rights, shedding light on speciesism and the urgent need to rethink our treatment of animals. Calen is a queer, anti-speciesist travel blogger who explores the big wide world on a very small budget. After completing a solo trip across the USA at the age of 19 with only $300 and a bike, Calen discovered that there are so many alternative ways to travel that cost less. Inspired by their love of meeting strangers and sharing their incredible stories, Calen created the Unruly Travel blog. There they share photos, videos, articles, and podcast episodes from their unique travels in hopes to inspire others to get out and grow. Calen has been to 5 continents, 35 states, 20 National Parks, and more than 20 countries as a vegan and is passionate about doing the least amount of harm wherever they go. They wrote and published 'The Art Of Unruly Travel On A Budget' travel guide book to make travel more accessible to all. In this episode Tracey, Michelle, and Calen talk about: Veganism as a social justice movement. Drawing similarities between speciesism with other discrimination forms. The importance of having courage to stand up for your beliefs. Calen's experiences with disruptive animal rights activism. The need for accessible, plant-based foods for all communities. How to manage and address risks in activism: physical harm, emotional challenges, legal consequences. Tracey's book is now available for purchase! Whether you want to ignite your inner superhero or harness collective power, Tracey's new book is your ultimate guide. "" offers essential practices and bold strategies to help you overcome obstacles and unleash your personal power to create lasting impact. your copy today and join the movement for positive change! Connect with Tracey, Calen and Michelle: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/32252282

34. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: The Impact of Laying Down Your Safety to Spark Change 07/09/2024

33. Match-Striking For Beginners: Highlights from Tracey's Book Launch Events During Bisbee Pride 06/25/2024

33. Match-Striking For Beginners: Highlights from Tracey's Book Launch Events During Bisbee Pride In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, we highlight some of the recent book launch events for Tracey’s book, "Match-Striking for Beginners." Tracey and Michelle celebrated the Pride Month launch of the book in Bisbee, Arizona, where Tracey delivered several inspiring talks, emphasizing the importance of honoring past disruptors and investing in community. Tracey shares personal stories of overcoming societal rejection and the journey to self-acceptance, awakening the superhero within each of us. Her narrative moves from internal struggles to personal empowerment, spurring her to leadership roles in tech and law enforcement despite the discrimination and rejection she faced as a queer female in those spaces. Join Tracey and Michelle as they encourage listeners to embrace their personal power, live fully authentically, and activate to drive social change. In this episode Tracey and Michelle talk about: - The launch of Tracey's Book "Match-Striking for Beginners" - The significance of the book's message regarding personal power and social change. - All the official launch events they participated in and hosted during the Pride celebrations in Bisbee, Arizona. - Tracey's talk at Bisbee Pride Women’s Event and from the 2nd floor balcony of the historic and national award-winning Copper Queen Library. - Tracey's powerful and emotional reading of the first chapter of "Match Striking for Beginners." - Their invitation to listeners to embrace their personal power and join in the movement to disrupt current systems that are no longer serving us and create change. Tracey's book is now available for purchase! Whether you want to ignite your inner superhero or harness collective power, Tracey's new book is your ultimate guide. "" offers essential practices and bold strategies to help you overcome obstacles and unleash your personal power to create lasting impact. your copy today and join the movement for positive change! Connect with Tracey and Michelle: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/31873152

32. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: Expanding JourneyWoman's Mission, Creating Visibility and Impact with Carolyn Ray 06/11/2024

32. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: Expanding JourneyWoman's Mission, Creating Visibility and Impact with Carolyn Ray In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, hosts Michelle and Tracey delve into the inspiring journey of Carolyn Ray, CEO of JourneyWoman, and discuss her proactive stance on joy, travel, and social change. Carolyn shares her experience of learning about human trafficking through her daughter's work and her subsequent efforts to raise awareness and educate others via JourneyWoman. Their dialogue then transitions to one of Carolyn's other passions - the critical role of women in transforming the travel industry and advocating for greater accessibility and fair treatment for solo female travelers over 50! As the CEO and Editor of JourneyWoman, Carolyn is a passionate advocate for women’s travel and living the life of your dreams. She leads JourneyWoman’s team of writers and chairs the JourneyWoman Women’s Advisory Council and Women’s Speaker’s Bureau. In March 2023, she was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse and was the recipient of the SATW travel writing award in September 2023. She has been featured in the New York Times, The Toronto Star and Zoomer as a solo travel expert, and speaks at women’s travel conferences around the world. She is the chair of the Canadian chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), a member of Women’s Travel Leaders and a Herald for the Transformational Travel Council (TTC). In 2012 she was ranked among the top 100 Female Entrepreneurs in Canada. And if that weren't enough, she’s also a Co-Active Life Coach and mom of Alyxandra, a captivating young woman and our next generation of impactful disruptors. In this episode, Tracey, Michelle, and Carolyn talk about: The important role of women in making a difference in the travel industry. Carolyn's awareness of human trafficking through her daughter's work and education. JourneyWoman’s efforts to raise awareness and educate others. Collective female consumer influence leading to industry changes. Exploring societal expectations versus personal callings. Whether you want to ignite your inner superhero or harness collective power, Tracey's new book is your ultimate guide. "" offers essential practices and bold strategies to help you overcome obstacles and unleash your personal power to create lasting impact. your copy today and join the movement for positive change! Connect with Tracey, Michelle, and Carolyn: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/31689417

31: Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: The Journey Towards Purpose and Empowerment 05/28/2024

30. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: How Strategic Collaboration Fuels Change in the Corporate World 05/14/2024

30. Exploring Match-Striking For Beginners: How Strategic Collaboration Fuels Change in the Corporate World In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, we are joined by Robbie Karp and Jane Randel to discuss their experiences as change-makers in corporate America. They share their insights on driving change within corporate systems, including the importance of being strategic and the critical impact of building alliances. Robbie talks in detail about their work in addressing sweatshop conditions at Liz Claiborne and the creation of the Fair Labor Association. Jane also digs deep into her work to raise awareness about domestic violence and the development of NO MORE, an international initiative dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Both Robbie and Jane emphasize the need for collaboration and human understanding in creating lasting change. Robbie and Jane, both close friends and long-time colleagues of Tracey's, are Social Impact advisors and co-founders of Karp Randel, a consultancy designed to help corporations, foundations, and individuals achieve their business and personal goals while making a positive impact on society. Robbie is currently serving on the executive committee and is the immediate past chair of the board of Educational Alliance. She is also a director and sits on the executive board of Human Rights First, an independent advocacy organization that works to ensure that the U.S. is a global leader in human rights. Throughout her career, Robbie has served on a number of other nonprofit legal and human rights boards and task forces, including Co-Chairing President Clinton’s Apparel Industry Partnership (AIP), a coalition of consumer companies, human rights and labor rights organizations, and consumer groups formed by the former U.S. President to help improve global working conditions. Jane is also a co-founder of NO MORE and, in February 2020, gave a TEDx talk about engaging youth to end violence. Jane is currently serving as a consultant to the NFL and NASCAR to help those organizations address issues of domestic violence and sexual assault within their organizations as well as in service to the public at large. Jane has also co-founded the recently launched The Comms Collective, a strategic communications practice with a focus on defining new pathways to growth for challenger brands and next-generation businesses. In this episode, Tracey and Michelle talk with Robbie and Jane about: The definition of disruption in corporate America. Challenges and hurdles Robbie and Jane faced in implementing changes in their roles in corporate environments. The role of community and collective activation in effecting change. Strategies Robbie and Jane used to navigate complex dynamics with corporate and legal teams. The impact of Robbie and Jane’s initiatives on social change and corporate responsibility. Whether you're seeking to ignite your inner superhero or activate collective power, Tracey's book is a roadmap that offers essential practices and bold moves to break through the blockers we as marginalized voices and groups experience and create lasting impact. Preorder your copy of today and join the movement for positive change! Connect with Tracey, Michelle, Jane and Robbie: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/31280177

29. Match-Striking For Beginners: Collective Action and Activism 04/30/2024

29. Match-Striking For Beginners: Collective Action and Activism On this week's episode of The Disruption Podcast, we discuss the critical need for collective activism and change within our systems and organizations. As we tease this concept from Tracey's book, "Match-Striking for Beginners," which is set to launch this Pride month, we also tackle the vital need for collective activism and meaningful action towards social change, pivotal themes in Tracey's book. We explore why activism must permeate every organization, why throwing money at problems isn't enough, and how we can use our influence right where we're at to support organizations in stepping up authentically and impactfully. Tracey also shares her experiences working with the wonderful team at Practical Inspiration Publishing and that team's profound impact on Tracey's book! Tracey discusses the importance of choosing the right allies in publishing and why Practice Inspiration Publishing was the right partner for her, being a woman-owned publishing company that really gets behind its authors. In this episode Michelle and Tracey talk about: Tracey's exceptional experiences with the Practical Inspiration Publishing team and the importance of finding the right partners to support your vision and message. The necessity of activism within every organization and system, with an emphasis on what we can each do individually right where we're at. The importance of organizations taking real action and providing real support for marginalized communities. Their partners and friends, Robbie Karp and Jane Randal, who are specialists in corporate activism and social impact and who join Michelle and Tracey on the next episode of The Disruption Podcast. Whether you're seeking to ignite your inner superhero or activate collective power, Tracey's book is a roadmap that offers essential practices and bold moves to break through the blockers we as marginalized voices and groups experience and create lasting impact. Preorder your copy of today and join the movement for positive change! Mentioned in the episode: - - Connect with Tracey and Michelle: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/31043388

EP 28 Part 2: Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: Harnessing Your Personal Power to Impart Wisdom to Rising Leaders 04/16/2024

EP 28 Part 2: Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: Harnessing Your Personal Power to Impart Wisdom to Rising Leaders In part two of this two-part series, we delve into the dynamic world of leadership and personal growth with our guest, Nan Watts of Watts Collaborative. Nan moves our conversation towards the Rising Leaders, the next generation of changemakers, who are creating a global community by bridging various entities and shaking up current systems. Michelle and Tracey probe into the evolution of leadership, highlighting the integration of intuition and the pursuit of wholeness. With profound insight, Nan advocates for becoming the embodiment of the qualities we seek and engages us in the necessity of self-awareness and introspection. Join us in this thought-provoking two-part conversation, resonating with the need for individual and collective strides towards a renewed paradigm of leadership. In this episode Tracey, Michelle, and Nan talk about: Discussion on the role of wholeness in guiding leadership practices. Exploration of self-awareness and its role in personal and professional growth. Tracey and Nan talk about the difficulty of fitting self-care into busy work schedules. Nan's initiative to bring rising leaders together for mutual development. Identifying and employing personal power through the power of the pause. In our conversation with Nan, as in other conversations in our series highlighting Tracey's book, we explore concepts from Match-Striking for Beginners: Activating Individual and Collective Power from the Margin, which will be released on June 25, 2024. Whether you're seeking to ignite your inner superhero or activate collective power from the margin, Tracey's book is a roadmap that offers essential practices and bold moves to break through the blockers we, as marginalized voices and groups, experience so that you can create lasting impact. Preorder your copy of today and join the movement for positive change! Connect with Tracey, Michelle and Nan: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/30838323

28. Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: Transforming Self-Doubt into Self-Empowerment with Nan Watts 04/02/2024

28. Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: Transforming Self-Doubt into Self-Empowerment with Nan Watts In Part One of a two-part series with our special guest, Nan Watts of Watts Collaborative, we delve deep into the complex feelings many confront regarding self-worth and societal expectations. With a poignant blend of vulnerability and wisdom, Nan opens up about her struggles with feeling "enough" and her journey towards quieting the persistent inner voice of self-doubt. Nan explores different facets of her life with us—from her affinity for nature's calming influence to her emergence as a passionate photographer and later, a transformative leadership coach. Together, we engage in a candid discussion about the disruption of ingrained behaviors and the uncomfortable yet essential growth that comes with change. As a mother of two young boys (now men), Nan was deeply moved by the impact of the tragedies in our world at the turn of the century — the devastating Columbine shooting in 1999 and subsequently the horrific attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. These events inspired Nan to want to do whatever she could to help provide a positive impact on the world, and especially for her family. Prior to starting Nan Watts Coaching in 2005, now Watts Collaborative, she started two successful photography businesses, both of which continue to inform how she wanted to establish her coaching practice. Her training, tools, and guiding principles are what she uses to capture, frame, and reflect back to her clients so they can see and hear themselves in their instructive moment. As a coach, Nan specializes in working with senior leaders and executives who are challenging themselves to grow, adapt, and thrive in a world of constant change. In this episode Tracey, Michelle, and Nan talk about: Societal pressures and the internal voice that perpetuates self-doubt. Strategies for acknowledging and battling that voice of self-doubt. Nan's insights on revisiting grief from unexpressed experiences. Acknowledging self-worth and the value of experience that comes with age. Nan's background as a third-generation Chicagoan, living on a property rich with history and a special connection to nature. Whether you're seeking to ignite your inner superhero or activate collective power, Tracey's book is a roadmap that offers essential practices and bold moves to break through the blockers we as marginalized voices and groups experience and create lasting impact. Preorder your copy of today and join the movement for positive change! Connect with Tracey and Michelle: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/30635298

27. Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: The Importance of Fully Embracing Your Value 03/19/2024

26. Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: Where Sustainable Fashion Meets Community Building 03/05/2024

26. Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: Where Sustainable Fashion Meets Community Building On this episode of The Disruption Podcast, we delve into topics of community, trust, sustainable fashion, and personal transformation. Carley discusses her app, Lucky Sweater, focusing on clothing swaps and its role in building trust, community, and friendship through a shared focus on sustainability. We cover the delicate balance of scaling a business while safeguarding its core values, and Carley's personal journey leaving Uber to launch her venture during the pandemic. Our conversation is sprinkled with personal anecdotes of past experiences, including our time at Uber, with the hope of reminding listeners of the importance of support in personal and professional endeavors. Carley is the co-founder/CEO of Lucky Sweater, the community clothing swap app that’s putting community and curation at the center of secondhand. They've started with curated communities for slow fashion, vintage, and handmade items, and are on track to be the "Discord for things,"—expanding into any style and interest-based community! Prior to Lucky Sweater, Carley was one of the first 500 employees at Uber, launched Uber Eats, and led Uber’s global safety marketing and initiatives. She started her career as a digital content strategist at Ogilvy & Mather for Fortune 500 clients including SC Johnson, Ford, and Kimberly Clark. Her professional journey has made me an expert in sustainability, trust & safety, go-to-market strategies, product marketing, and community building. In this episode Tracey, Michelle, and Carley talk about: Carley's departure from corporate life to start her own business, following her passion for sustainable fashion The inception of the community clothing swap app, Lucky Sweater The importance of sustainable fashion and community building The significance of physical exchanges and storytelling in community trust This episode is party of a series, highlighting themes from Tracey’s book, Match-Striking for Beginners. Carley is a great example of the importance of finding and building community. Whether you're seeking to ignite your inner superhero or activate collective power, Match-Striking for Beginners is your roadmap offering essential practices and bold moves to break through blockers and create lasting impact. Preorder your copy of today and join the movement for positive change! Mentioned in the episode: Connect with Tracey, Michelle, and Carley: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/30223573

25. Exploring Match-Striking for Beginners: The Importance of Community and Collective Action 02/20/2024

Ep 24 Part 2. Disrupting Parenthood: Lesbian Moms Talk the Art of Meaningful Parent-Child Conversations 02/06/2024

Ep 24 Part 1. Disrupting Parenthood: A Lesbian Couple's Journey to Starting a Family 01/23/2024

23. Disrupting the Family "Norm": Our Journey Navigating a Blended Family as Two Moms 01/16/2024

22. 2023 Year in Review: Disruption Stories from 2023 01/09/2024

21. Disrupting Forced Arbitration: Survivors Fighting Forced Arbitration with Ally Coll 12/26/2023

21. Disrupting Forced Arbitration: Survivors Fighting Forced Arbitration with Ally Coll In this powerful podcast episode, we unravel Ally's complex journey, whose experiences traverse the turbulent landscape of workplace sexual harassment and systemic challenges like forced arbitration. From her former law firm's involvement in Harvey's defense during the #MeToo movement to her internship on the Hill, where she faced sexual assault, Ally's story is one of resilience and advocacy because she turned those challenges into a way to advocate for other victims as well! Ally is the founder and CEO of the Purple Method, an organization she launched to address workplace harassment in the wake of the #MeToo movement. She is also a law professor at the City University of New York School of Law, teaching administrative law and federal courts. In this episode, we talk about: How Ally bravely shared her story with The Washington Post and sparked legislative changes in Congress The transformative impact of Ally's journey as it led her to work with the Purple Method What is the core mission of the Purple Method and the tangible effects of their advocacy What is forced arbitration and how we are all impacted The detrimental implications of forced arbitration and particularly its disproportionate impact on women and marginalized groups Solutions around forced arbitration and actionable steps individuals can take to combat this pervasive issue Both Tracey and Michelle personally care deeply about advocacy around forced arbitration and have included additional resources for you to join the fight and take action: - - Use the hashtags #forcedarbitration #workplacefairness Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend. Connect with Michelle and Tracey: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/29227773

20. Disrupting Charitable Altruism: Why Giving One Percent Matters with Mindy Gibbins-Klein 12/12/2023

Ep 19 Part 2: Disrupting Your Assumptions About Witches: Using Witchcraft to Facilitate Authenticity with Suzanne Elise Stewart 11/28/2023

19. Disrupting Your Assumptions About Witches: An Exploration of Elemental Witchcraft with Suzanne Elise Stewart 11/14/2023

19. Disrupting Your Assumptions About Witches: An Exploration of Elemental Witchcraft with Suzanne Elise Stewart In this illuminating podcast episode, we delve into the mystical realms of Elemental Witchcraft with Suzanne Elise Stewart, unraveling the essence of the practice and exploring the profound connection witches share with the earth and its cycles. Suzanne is an artist, tarot reader, healer, and psychic medium. She has called Arizona home for 53 years, minus the 6 years she resided in Portland, Oregon. Suzanne had an out-of-body experience during a car accident when she was 14 years old that led her to explore the paranormal, her psychic abilities, astral projection and travel, and different healing modalities such as reiki, hypnosis, and meditation. Through her travels and exploring the West Coast, she realized her deep connection to nature and its importance to her wellness. When she made her way back to Arizona in 2016, she was introduced to a community of healers, witches, psychics, and artists through her new and old friendships. This is when she realized she had been a witch as long as she could remember, but she never knew it had a name. She is a student of many local spiritual teachers in Phoenix, AZ, and enjoyed connecting with communities with different belief systems and spiritual practices. She studied tarot and has been reading cards professionally for over 20 years. Suzanne is still in Phoenix, living with family and she reads tarot cards for clients when she isn't at her day job. She is hoping to find more time to create another body of artwork shortly. Meteor showers, live concerts, art shows, and connecting with people are some of her favorite things. In this episode, Michelle, Tracey, and Suzanne talk about: - The practice of Elemental Witchcraft - Solitary witchcraft versus coven work and hierarchy - How witches are connected to the earth and its cycles - Debunking many misconceptions about witchcraft and witches - The history of witches … some of which seems to repeat itself even today Check out this week's episode to get to know what it truly means to be a witch! Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, we'd appreciate if you'd leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend. Connect with Michelle, Tracey, and Suzanne on Socials: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/28626708

18. Disrupting Your Limiting Beliefs: A Guide to Manifesting Your Dream Life 10/31/2023

17. Disrupting Sexual Assault On All US College Campuses with Tracy DeTomasi 10/17/2023

17. Disrupting Sexual Assault On All US College Campuses with Tracy DeTomasi On this week's episode, we are replaying our episode with Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, in honor of Callisto being released on ALL college campuses in the USA as of October 16th, 2023! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tracy has extensive experience in gender-based violence, giving her a deep understanding of the ecosystem of survivors, offenders, and allies. She has consulted with organizations to develop tech-based tools, such as an app that educates users about violence against women, a smartphone device for sexual violence prevention safety, and virtual reality trainings to address Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Sexual Harassment. To say that Tracy has been instrumental in changing domestic violence laws, education, and understanding in the US and globally is an understatement. Trigger Warning: This episode does contain references to sexual violence. If that is triggering for you, we suggest skipping this episode, listening to some of the previous episodes, or joining us in the coming weeks for future episodes! In this episode, Tracey and Michelle talk with Tracy about: Why real disruption work starts internally Statistics around sexual assault on college campuses Binge drinking and drinking culture's effect on college sexual assault Approaching sexual assault education from a different perspective What consent means and looks like - and what it doesn't look like Why reporting rates of sexual assault matter Callisto, its mission and its future Why Callisto is absolutely vital on all college campuses and how you can support its important work This is truly a game-changer when it comes to addressing serial sexual assault on college campuses. And we are excited to announce that TODAY everyone with a .edu email has FREE access! Learn more: Connect with Tracy, Michelle, and Tracey: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/28337828

16. Disrupting the Music In You: Building Community For Female & Non-Binary Artists Through Music 10/03/2023

16. Disrupting the Music In You: Building Community For Female & Non-Binary Artists Through Music Hey there Disruptors! In this week's episode, we are talking about just how powerful and transformational music can be with special guest, Sarah June! An independent singer-songwriter based in Phoenix, AZ, Sarah June writes songs with vivid and nostalgic details that are easy to take on as your own. Listeners have used her lofi sound filled with layered delicate vocals and guitar, as a way to feel at home in the world. The calculated rise and fall of her arrangements takes you through emotional landscapes of longing, peacefulness, and grief. Sarah’s vocals are gentle, precise, and sincere, and her melodies befriend you easily. Although her delivery is typically comforting, Sarah’s lyrics are often mysterious and challenging. In her latest release, “Ghost,” whose crisp production pushes beyond that of a typical bedroom recording. Sarah can be found playing around Phoenix in arrangements ranging from a solo acoustic performance to a full band sound. Whether on record or in person, her music invites you on a journey that’s both familiar and thought-provoking. Sarah is currently recording her upcoming releases, playing shows around the Phoenix Valley, and hosting Femmes of Phoenix, which is a house show series that elevates & celebrates female and non-binary-fronted bands and artists. In this episode, we chat with Sarah about: The vulnerability that music creates Sarah’s experience and history of creating music from childhood until now Struggling with imposter syndrome as an artist and creative How Sarah defines her music style and how she found her genre What “getting into the flow” means and looks like as an artist Sarah’s experience with Teach for America and as a teacher in Phoenix How she finds a balance between teaching and creating music The importance of community on your creative journey What is Femmes in Phoenix and how you can support Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts or share this episode with a friend. Connect with Michelle, Tracey, and Sarah: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/28207766

15: Disruption In Love: Michelle and Tracey's Origin Story 09/19/2023

Ep 14: Disrupting In Your Own Way: Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace with RaShawn Hawkins 09/05/2023

Ep 14: Disrupting In Your Own Way: Fostering Inclusion in the Workplace with RaShawn Hawkins Welcome to another episode of The Disruption Podcast, where we explore the world of innovation and change-making in your own way! In this episode, we're delving into the concept of disrupting the way that works for our guest personally. We're joined by a special guest, RaShawn, who will share her lived experience as a queer person in the workplace and how she initiated incremental change. RaShawn "Shawnie" Hawkins, SHRM-CP (she/her), is the Senior Director of the Workplace Equality Program at HRC Foundation. She has been an advocate and educator on LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion for over 15 years. In this role with HRC, she is responsible for managing key corporate and constituent engagement programs, namely educational resource development, training, ongoing communication platforms, and multimedia projects addressing current and emerging LGBTQ+ subjects for advancing workplace inclusion efforts. Before joining the HRC Foundation, she worked in the corporate space as a Human Resources Business Partner and as a Leadership Development professional, designing and implementing training curriculums for organizations across multiple industries like retail and telecommunications. Shawnie holds a BS from the University of Iowa and has a Leading in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification from Northwestern University. In this episode, we chat about: Defining what it means to "disrupt quietly" in today's world Exploring the idea that not all disruptors make loud waves, but their impact is profound nonetheless Discuss how each type of disruption plays a crucial role in driving change in different ways The importance of grassroots change within organizations What is the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and its role in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace Discussing the significance of HRC taking the lead in advocating for change Shawnie’s personal journey as a queer person in the workplace The challenges she faced and the pivotal moments that inspired her to create change Emphasizing the importance of time, talent, and treasure in this process Practical tips and strategies for individuals to initiate change in their own workplaces The concept of "anti-wokeness" in corporate environments Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, we'd be so appreciative if you'd leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend. Connect with Tracey and Michelle: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/27941901

Ep 13 Part 2: The First Disruptors: Lessons From 50 Years of Friendship 08/22/2023

Ep 13 Part 1: The First Disruptors: The Generation That Ignited Movement 08/08/2023

Ep 13 Part 1: The First Disruptors: The Generation That Ignited Movement In this episode of "The Disruption Podcast," hosts Michelle and Tracey sit down with two remarkable guests, Carolyn and Kathay, to delve into what it was like to be part of their generation of pioneering change. Join us as we discuss their disruptive journeys, the evolution of human rights, women's rights then and now, and the power of community. Carolyn Blair Brandis is 77 years young, born in 1945. She graduated from college in 1968 when the world was transforming as anyone knew it. She taught school for 42 years, with a focus on kindergarten-age kids for a large part of her career. She started her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Ono, California. Carolyn now lives in Napa, California, and has been a fixture of the Napa community for over 50 years. While raising two wonderful kids, she embarked on a second career in the hospitality and restaurant industry. Currently, Carolyn owns and runs Boogaloos in the Mission District and Prada 22 in the Haight, both in San Francisco, California. Kathay Smith is 71 years young, born in 1952. She was raised as a self-described air force brat and lived in Europe during her teen years. She will tell you that she lived in 23 different countries, states, and cities over the course of 18 years. She graduated from college in 1973 and began her first career in retail as a buyer for sporting goods stores. She and her husband moved to Napa in 1977 and raised their family of 3 girls. Kathay has also been in Napa for a significant part of her life - over 46 years. Kathay describes her and her husband as the first house flippers, having purchased, lived in, and updated 9 houses in Napa over the time she’s lived there. Kathay also had a career as a schoolteacher starting in the early 90s, teaching middle school PE and third and fourth grade over her more than 20-year career. A significant impact on her life has been her experience with health concerns regarding her family - her youngest daughter was diagnosed at 2 ½ with leukemia and is now the longest-living survivor of one of the first mismatched bone marrow transplants ever done. Kathay also spent several difficult years caring for her late husband through his experience with Parkinson’s. She now spends her time traveling the world and enjoying live music. Carolyn and Kathay share their perspectives on disruption, emphasizing how they challenged societal norms and pushed boundaries. They recount their personal experiences as disruptors throughout their lives, from activism to nurturing creativity as educators. In this episode, we chat about: - What Gen Z and younger generations can learn from the older generation's experiences. - Carolyn and Kathay highlight the resilience and the power of collective action - Why Boomers were the original disruptors, being deeply involved in civil rights, anti-war protests, and environmental activism during the '60s and '70s - The differences in human rights from the '70s to the present day - Kathay opens up about her personal journey protesting the Vietnam War - The challenges around uncovering the truth amidst misinformation - The parallels between the women's rights movements of the '60s and '70s and the current state of women's rights Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, we'd be so appreciative if you'd leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend. Connect with Tracey and Michelle: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/27690648

Ep 12 Part 3: Disrupting Your Trans Understanding: Trans 101 with TNET 07/25/2023

Ep 12 Part 2: Disrupting Your Understanding of Trans & Non-Binary Youth with Charlie Alexander 07/11/2023

Ep 12 Part 2: Disrupting Your Understanding of Trans & Non-Binary Youth with Charlie Alexander We're back with part two of our three-part series! In this second part of the series, we had the pleasure of chatting with Charlie Alexander about everything from how gender-affirming care is suicide prevention to some realities of parenting as a non-binary person! Charlie Alexander (they/them) is a trans and nonbinary parent to two kids. After winding up pregnant at age 17 without access to any support, resources, or assistance, Charlie became ferociously passionate about educating folks on important topics such as sexual health, boundaries, consent, radical love, all things sex-, sexuality-, and gender-related. They believe whole-heartedly that education is the foundation to liberation which led them to join Stacy in building TNET in January of 2023. In 2022, Charlie earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Sociology and a Certificate in Race and Social Justice from the University of New Mexico. They plan to continue their educational journey in graduate school. Charlie is passionate about intersectional feminism, disability justice, and transgender issues. They co-founded a disability justice group in 2021 called Crip Liberation. Charlie enjoys reading, making art, roller skating, volunteering, and spending time with their sweet children in their free time. In this episode, we talk with Charlie about:Their childhood experience growing up Southern Baptist - Getting pregnant at age 17 after being denied birth control - How Charlie transformed their trauma into purpose through TNET - The process of uncovering their gender identity - The fluidity of gender and sexuality - The struggles of being pregnant and why Charlie got sterilized - The process of sterilization and top surgery - Why gender-affirming care is suicide prevention - Why children and youth should have access to gender-affirming care - What is informed consent - Their pregnancy experience as a non-binary person - Their experience with postpartum depression - Charlie's parenting style and approach Check out this week's episode to understand Charlie's experience as a non-binary person! Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, we'd be so appreciative if you'd leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend. Connect with Tracey, Michelle, and Charlie: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/27431334

Ep 12 Part 1: Disrupting Your Understanding of the Trans and Nonbinary Experience with Stacy Fatemi 06/27/2023

Ep 12 Part 1: Disrupting Your Understanding of the Trans and Nonbinary Experience with Stacy Fatemi Happy Pride Month, Disruptors! As we close out a month meant to celebrate queerness worldwide, we are so excited to bring you a special 3-part series highlighting the T in LBGTQIA+! In this series, you will hear the individual stories of two trans, nonbinary individuals, and then hear them come together to educate us all with a Trans 101 crash course. In our first episode of this series, we host a conversation with the delightful and fabulously talented Stacy Fatemi! Stacy (they/them) is a trans, nonbinary educator from Albuquerque, New Mexico. After coming out as trans at age 17, Stacy began casually educating others to address a gap in knowledge about the gender spectrum and experiences that affected their everyday life. Now, at age 26, they do transgender trainings and workshops for organizations all around the country, with an added focus on nonbinary people and the issues they face, as co-founder of TNET. Before TNET came to be, Stacy did trainings as the first Education & Outreach Program Manager for the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico and made educational works for the Health Equity Alliance for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans. They're also the author of Pronouns: What's the Big Deal?, which details the ins and outs of basic linguistic respect towards trans and nonbinary folks. When not pursuing their educational passions through their work with TNET, Stacy can be found making metal, punk, and ambient music with their longtime friend, the 6-string bass guitar. In this episode, Tracey and Michelle talk with Stacy about: - Statistics and the current state of affairs regarding transgender folks and specifically transgender youth - How a bored night of watching YouTube led Stacy to understand they were trans - What coming out means and what that looked like for Stacy - The importance of open and loving acceptance and how it has a direct effect on mental health - The ins and outs of gender expression - Stacy's experience moving into university with a female gender expression - Their gender-affirming care journey, including beginning hormone therapy, their physical and emotional changes from introducing estrogen, and what a vaginoplasty is - Defining the gender triangle - How to better support loved ones who are transitioning by the reactions we have, the words we use, and the safe spaces we create Thank you for listening and supporting The Disruption Podcast! If you liked what you heard, we'd be so appreciative if you'd leave us a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a friend. Connect with Tracey, Michelle, and Stacy: /episode/index/show/89ba6d8d-a83f-4f11-92e0-87f364b7f9b2/id/27287394

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