Send us a text

What happens when the systems meant to support us become the places that cause the most harm? In this deeply moving conversation, Jacob shares his journey from surviving personal trauma to creating spaces where others can reclaim their narratives.

Jacob's story begins with his own experience of feeling silenced after a difficult breakup, when he found himself without a platform to share his truth while his ex controlled the social narrative. This personal pain transformed into purpose when he launched his podcast "Power of the Narrative," creating space for people whose stories might otherwise go unheard. From working with families of missing persons to supporting those recovering from abuse, Jacob has developed a powerful approach to narrative justice that centers the voices of those who've been marginalized.

"I was labeled as too much throughout my life," Jacob explains, "and now I can hold space for stories that are deemed too much." This profound shift from being silenced to becoming a witness for others' truths forms the foundation of his developing nonprofit work, which aims to make mental health resources accessible regardless of financial status or identity. Through narrative healing circles and community-based support, he's reimagining what mental health care can look like when it's designed for those traditionally excluded from therapeutic spaces.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as we explore the complexities of support groups that sometimes cause harm, the power dynamics in storytelling, and the political dimensions of whose narratives get centered in public discourse. Jacob's insights into narrative domination - how some people control the stories told about relationships, communities, and even historical events - offers listeners valuable tools for recognizing and challenging these patterns in their own lives.

What emerges is a powerful reminder that reclaiming our stories is essential not just for personal healing but for creating more just communities. As Jacob powerfully notes, "If they can choose their narratives, why can't people who want to heal do that too?" His work stands as an invitation for all of us to consider how we might better support others in telling their truths and how we might more authentically tell our own.

Find Power of the Narrative: https://open.spotify.com/show/1AhVcR2NBwstdm4C4qPrUQ

To connect with Jacob check here: https://www.powerofthenarrative.com/

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

When Texas State Representative Jon Rosenthal sits down for a conversation, you're instantly struck by the fascinating contradiction he embodies. "I still identify in my head as an oil field engineer," he admits, despite seven years serving in the Texas legislature. This duality—practical engineer meets progressive politician—powers his unique approach to tackling Texas's most divisive issues.

Representative Rosenthal takes us behind the political curtain, revealing how the Texas legislature actually functions beyond the headlines. The numbers alone are staggering—8,719 bills filed last session with just 1,213 passing both chambers. For minority party members like himself, success is measured differently: "I had 10 bills heard in committee of the 50 that I filed and I passed three off the House floor. One was signed by the governor."

The conversation doesn't shy away from troubling realities. "Gun violence wasn't among the top five leading causes of death for children in Texas when I was first sworn in," Rosenthal reveals, "and now it's the leading cause of death for our citizens between 0 and 18 years old." This stark statistic underscores his frustration with continued weakening of gun regulations despite mounting evidence of harm.

As Vice Chairman of the Redistricting Committee, Rosenthal offers rare insight into gerrymandering's impact on Texas politics. The current system creates increasingly polarized representatives who only worry about primary challenges, not general elections. His solution? Nonpartisan commissions using open-source software to draw districts based on constitutional principles, not preserving incumbency.

Perhaps most compelling is Rosenthal's philosophy on perseverance: "You're only defeated if you have given up." Despite setbacks—like his bill to end child marriage passing the House but dying in the Senate—he remains determined. "It's not a failure," he explains, "it's just a step in the process."

Want to follow Representative Rosenthal's work? Find him on social media at @jon_rosenthalTX or through his campaign website to learn more about his continued fight for public education, healthcare access, and combating bigotry in all its forms.

https://house.texas.gov/members/3635

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

Step into a living time capsule as we sit down with elders of Houston's LGBTQ+ community who share raw, firsthand accounts of the city's queer history spanning five decades. These aren't stories you'll find in textbooks—they're personal testimonies of survival, resistance, and community-building during times when simply existing as yourself could be dangerous.

Our guests take us back to the tense atmosphere of Houston's first Pride parade, where participants wore black armbands after police killed a gay man the night before. You'll hear about the elaborate warning systems gay bars created during police raids, with owners calling each other down Westheimer Road to protect their patrons. They reveal the origins of the Royal Court system, which became crucial when the AIDS crisis struck and the government turned its back on the community.

The conversation doesn't shy away from difficult truths. From being thrown out of bathrooms to losing housing after the failure of Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance, these stories provide crucial context for today's battles over transgender rights. Our guests candidly discuss the divisions within the LGBTQ+ community itself—how trans people were sometimes left behind in political compromises, and how lesbians stepped up to care for gay men during the AIDS crisis when their families abandoned them.

What makes this episode especially powerful is the intergenerational wisdom exchanged. Older activists offer perspective on navigating pronouns and gender identity with patience, while emphasizing that today's youth deserve better than what they endured. They share practical strategies for political effectiveness beyond protest, drawn from decades of experience.

Whether you're a longtime community member or an ally seeking deeper understanding, these stories will transform how you view LGBTQ+ history and the ongoing struggle for equality.

We invite you to connect with us, share your stories, and support the podcast through our website. Your experiences matter, and together we can ensure this important history is preserved for future generations.

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

Have you ever wondered what might happen if you followed your creative impulses, even later in life? In this episode, we sit down with Kathi Crawford, a former HR executive who reinvented herself as a career coach and eventually discovered her voice as a poet and writer.

Kathi's story begins in blue-collar Northeast Ohio, where she grew up as the only girl among four brothers. From early on, she knew she wanted a non-traditional path. After years of climbing the corporate ladder to become VP of Human Resources, she reached a pivotal moment: "Is this it? I don't like these people." This realization sparked her journey toward entrepreneurship, launching her coaching business People Possibilities in 2008.

What makes Kathi's journey fascinating is how she continued evolving well after establishing her successful coaching practice. She discovered poetry as a creative outlet and a way to process her experiences differently. "Poetry is like a puzzle," she explains, offering her a way to "tap into my life story that I couldn't do otherwise." Through organizations like Women in the Visual and Literary Arts (WIVLA), she found community with fellow creatives and developed her craft.

The conversation explores the balance between business ownership and creative pursuits, the challenges of putting yourself out there, and the joy of finding new forms of self-expression at any age. Kathi's forthcoming poetry collection, "Consider the Light," represents years of dedication to her craft and the patience required in the publishing process.

Whether you're contemplating a career change, exploring a creative hobby, or simply curious about how others navigate the different chapters of life, Kathi's story offers inspiration for finding your own voice and connecting with what truly matters to you.

Join us for this enlightening conversation about reinvention, creative expression, and the courage to follow your instincts toward a more fulfilling life.

https://theworldinsideyou.com/about/

Check out her book here:

https://kathicrawford.com/2024/07/01/debut-chapbook-consider-the-light-by-kathi-crawford-selected-as-best-entry-by-finishing-line-press/

Writers spaces:

https://www.wivla.org/

https://inprinthouston.org/

https://www.archwaygallery.com/

https://www.witshouston.org/

Bookstores:

https://www.basket-books.com/

https://www.brazosbookstore.com/

Also check out Kris Winter a Poet and first Sponsor of 22Sides! Thank you!

https://kwinterslatinxpoet.substack.com/

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

Dr. Maria Gonzalez takes us on a captivating journey from her childhood in El Paso to becoming a pioneering academic and political activist in Houston. Growing up in a traditional Mexican-American family with undiagnosed dyslexia, she couldn't read until age nine and was relegated to "slow classes." Yet this early struggle with educational inequality shaped her future path toward revolutionary change.

Her story unfolds with delightful details— as she navigated academia, Gonzalez made a bold decision that altered her trajectory: rather than studying canonized white male authors, she created an entirely new field focusing on Mexican-American literature, particularly by women writers.

Moving to Houston in 1991, Gonzalez arrived at a pivotal political moment. When anti-choice activists threatened to close women's health clinics during the 1992 Republican Convention, she joined a coalition of 4,000-5,000 volunteers who successfully protected these essential services. This experience cemented her commitment to progressive politics and community organization.

Throughout our conversation, Gonzalez offers profound insights on political engagement, voter participation, and the long struggle for equality. She discusses the gradual "socialization" of LGBTQ+ acceptance versus the need for permanent legal protections, advocating for constitutional amendments at both state and federal levels. Her practical wisdom on grassroots organizing—from block walking to engaging reluctant voters—provides valuable guidance for anyone interested in political action.

Gonzalez reminds us that "politics is not a spectator sport" and emphasizes the importance of planning for decades, not just the next election cycle. Her life embodies the transformative potential of education and activism, demonstrating how personal experience can fuel academic innovation and create meaningful social change.

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

What does it take to step into public service during challenging times? Jovon Tyler joins us to share his journey toward running for Houston City Council in 2027, revealing the personal experiences that shaped his political vision and the values driving his campaign.

Tyler's candidacy emerges from what he perceives as a leadership crisis in Houston. Rather than simply criticizing from the sidelines, he's developed the HOPE agenda—addressing Homelessness, creating Opportunity, ensuring Public accommodations for all, and improving Efficiency in city services. This framework reflects both his policy priorities and his commitment to making Houston a city everyone can be proud to call home.

The conversation takes an intimate turn as Tyler shares his two distinct experiences with homelessness—first as a teenager who voluntarily left home at 15 and later as a young adult struggling with addiction. These personal challenges have given him unique insight into the nuances of homelessness, rejecting the notion that it's an unsolvable problem. "I've talked to homeless people on the streets," he explains, advocating for solutions that recognize the humanity of unhoused individuals while creating meaningful support systems.

As a licensed funeral director specializing in pre-arranged services, Tyler brings a distinctive professional perspective to public service. He discusses the heavily regulated funeral industry, designed to protect vulnerable families during difficult times, and how his experience helping people plan ahead informs his approach to governance. Unlike many candidates who use elections as stepping stones to new careers, Tyler intends to maintain his professional work while serving on the council—understanding that Houston's city government was designed for part-time public servants who remain connected to their communities.

What ultimately drives Tyler is a belief in Houston's potential and the core Texan value of fairness. "I want people to feel just as proud to say that they're from Houston as they are from anywhere else in this country," he shares, pointing toward a vision of a city that works for everyone. Whether discussing public safety, relationships with county government, or the challenges of campaigning, Tyler's candor reveals someone focused on service rather than self-promotion.

Ready to learn more or get involved? Visit www.jovontyler.com to connect with the campaign and join the effort to bring HOPE and hard work to Houston's future.

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

Frost Murphy shares his journey from martial arts professional to humanitarian, illustrating how physical wellness can be integrated with meaningful service to create a balanced, purpose-driven life.

• Breaking a sweat daily benefits body, mind, and spirit - whether through structured exercise or everyday activities
• Quality fitness experiences should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical limitations
• Walking backwards can strengthen back muscles and alleviate lower back pain
• Martial arts training can be modified for all ages, including those in their 80s
• Heart Gift organization provides lifesaving heart surgery to children with congenital defects
• Four T's of volunteering: Time, Talent, Treasure, and Ties - establishes clear boundaries for nonprofit involvement
• Greater Houston Community Foundation helps connect people with appropriate volunteer opportunities
• Smart recovery strategies include steam therapy, targeted exercises, and adjusting expectations

Check out Frost's podcast "Elite MMA Coaches Corner" - available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple.

For more information on how to find Frost check out Elite MMA at:

https://elite-mma.com/frost-murphy/

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com

Send us a text

Filmmaker Sharon Ferranti joins us to discuss her journey from videography to advocacy documentaries. We explore how artistic expression intersects with community building, recovery support, and intentional inclusion.

• The importance of being intentionally inclusive rather than simply not exclusive
• How recovery communities model effective community building by focusing on commonalities rather than differences
• Sharon's years of sobriety and the life-saving power of community support
• The shift in local politics from divisive social issues to practical community concerns
• The importance of taking action rather than just having opinions about social issues

Check out Sharon's work at thesharonshow.com to learn more about her upcoming projects and documentary work.

Support the show

We hope you will listen often.

For more information, visit our website 22sides.com